Beyond the Shining Lights (Percy Jackson Barbie's Mariposa AU)

Part 1 Epilogue

"Well, you were right." Percy said, shaking his head. "That was quite the story."

"I know it sounds crazy, but I promise it's all true." Annabeth said as Percy unlocked a door, swinging it wide for Annabeth to enter. "Where are we anyway?"

"Come on in and you'll see." Percy said, ushering for Annabeth to enter. Once she walked inside, she saw that every wall was lined with books from floor to ceiling.

"Is this the royal library?" Annabeth asked, running her fingers over the spines of the books she could reach without flapping her wings.

"Yes, it is. It's also where the royal historian works."

"There's a royal historian?"

"Not right now." Percy said uneasily. "The old one quit a few weeks ago and my dad put me in charge of finding a new one but that's kinda hard to do if you're never allowed to leave the castle."

"I can imagine." Annabeth said, flapping her wings as she went up a level. She took a deep breath, bot meeting Percy's eyes. "Percy, there's one more thing I have to tell you."

"What?"

"I... I helped Luke poison your father."

"What do you mean?" Percy asked gently.

"The night he did it, he dropped the bottle he was carrying it in and I gave it to him. If I didn't do that-"

"That's not on you." Percy said, flying up and turning Annabeth around. "You wouldn't have known. That's not your fault, okay?"

"Then why do I-"

"Because you feel like you inadvertently helped when you wouldn't have known in the first place that you were helping. Annabeth, it's fine. This doesn't land on you."

Annabeth nodded, looking at the books happily, changing the subject quickly. "I've never seen this many books in my life!"

"I figured you'd like it, which is why I'm offering you the job."

Annabeth paused, landing on the ground in front of Percy. "You're... Offering me a job? After what I just told you?"

"We do need a new royal historian." Percy said, sitting down on a desk. "And you do enjoy reading. Besides, based on the story you just told me about your journey, you are easily the smartest fairy I've ever met. You're the best candidate for the job."

"Percy, I... I don't know what to say."

"Say you'll take it." Percy said confidently. "Someone as smart as you shouldn't be a maid for the rest of her life. You need to share your knowledge. I mean, the things you know are the reason that we're even having this conversation right now..."

"There you are!" King Poseidon said, walking into the room as Percy bolted off of the desk he was sitting on. "I thought I'd find you in here Percy. What's going on?"

"Annabeth here was explaining her journey." Percy said, bringing his father forward. "Father, meet Annabeth Chase, the girl who led the mission to find the ilios antidote. Annabeth, this is my father, King Poseidon."

"It's nice to officially meet you, your majesty." Annabeth said, curtseying.

"You were the one standing by my bed when I woke up, weren't you?"

"Yes, your majesty."

"Then I must thank you for saving my life." King Poseidon said, taking in Annabeth's appearance. "Though I must admit, for someone who's been traveling for three days, you look surprisingly clean."

Percy had to admit that she was in better shape than the other people she had come back with. Her clothes were much cleaner and crisp, as if she had just put them on, her shoes looking like she had never broken them in, even her wings looked fresh and new even though they practically towered over her. Her hair looked perfectly curled, flower crown laid evenly in her hair, and she was sparkly all over. If anything, she looked like she was ready for a ball rather than trekking through the muck for three days. Annabeth laughed nervously. "Trust me, I did not look like this when I left. You can thank the literal stars in the Cave of Reflection that I even look presentable. It's been a crazy three days, your majesty."

"How did you even find the antidote? We didn't even know that the poison existed until recently."

"Well, you can thank your son's attention to detail when it comes to books. He was the one who wrote the map to find the antidote based on The Tale of Antonio Andreas. Granted, that only led my group to another map, but he got us started."

King Poseidon gave Percy a confused look. "You wrote the map?"

"Yes, Father, I did."

"I'm still confused on why you two are in here though..."

"Your son was just offering me the job as Royal Historian." Annabeth explained. "If that's okay with you, your majesty."

"Of course!" King Poseidon said quickly. "Could you possibly find the people who helped you? I'd like to officially honor all of your for saving my life tomorrow night."

"I can help her with that." Percy said quickly. "There were some people that helped here too."

"Of course. I'll see you tomorrow, right Annabeth?"

"Of course, your majesty." Annabeth said bowing quickly as King Poseidon left. As soon as King Poseidon was gone, Annabeth looked down at her glowing chest. "That reminds me..."

"What?" Percy watched as Annabeth took the orb out of her shirt and untied the string, holding it out out to Percy and expecting him to take it.

"Your mother's necklace." Annabeth explained. "It was a great help on our journey, but I figured that you would want it back."

Percy took one look at the necklace, then pushed Annabeth's hand back towards her. "Keep it."

Annabeth gave Percy a confused look. "But it's-"

"I know." Percy said, grabbing the necklace and retying it around Annabeth's neck. "But knowing my mother, she would've wanted it around the neck of the person who saved Halfling instead of in some display case in the royal treasury."

"It wasn't just me though..."

"I know, but you were the one I originally gave it to. Just keep it as a thank you gift."

Annabeth laughed a bit, leaning against a desk. "As if the library and the job aren't enough!"

"Do you want to sleep here tonight?" Percy suggested. "We have plenty of room."

"I would, but my family has to be worried sick." Annabeth said, smiling at Percy as she started flying towards the open window. "See you tomorrow?"

"I'll give you the keys to this place then." Percy said, smiling to himself, happy to actually have another friend working in the castle.