Two Brothers Overlooked

– I do not own Percy Jackson. All rights belong to Rick Riordan. –

Chapter 1

It was a few days after the end of the second Giant War. Though they may have won, the losses were keenly felt by everybody. The rebuilding had started, but it would be a long time before the wounds would truly heal. The last days had been taxing: finding the dead, identifying them, and burning their shrouds. Now that the ceremonies were over, Zeus had called everyone together for a council meeting to announce Apollo's punishment.

After a long speech proclaiming the Gods' accomplishments and blaming Apollo for all of their mistakes, he finally revealed the punishment. "And so, I have come to the following decision. For unintentionally but foolishly aiding Gaia, Phoebus Apollo will have his powers bound. He will be banished to the mortal world until such time as he has redeemed himself."

Having said that, he threw his bolt at Apollo, who was standing in the middle of the throne room. For a moment the Sun God glowed blue, then he vanished. Where he had stood, his bow remained, still glowing blue. Then, to everyone's confusion,Percy Jackson stepped out of the crowd. He knelt in front of the bow with a smile. Placing both hands on it, he spoke, "Welcome to the family, brother. Welcome home." For a moment, the blue glow transferred to him. Then it disappeared completely.

Just as Percy rose and turned to leave, Zeus called out to him. "What was that all about?"

Percy, who had by now reached the doors, turned back around. "We just formally welcomed him into the family," he said, as if stating the obvious. When Zeus stared at him uncomprehendingly, he looked around and noted the complete confusion more or less visible on everyone's faces. "You're telling me you meant all that rubbish?", he asked incredulously, "You really weren't just trying to do this the only way possible while enjoying a little drama queen moment? You honestly wanted to punish him?"

"Of course", Zeus replied, "we had to punish him for helping Gaia in the war."

Percy heaved a great sigh, and with it he seamed to change. Gone was the endearingly dense, happy-go-lucky hero who could make everybody laugh in even the most tense of situations with his stupid comments. The person in his place held untold wisdom in his eyes, but also seemed weary, as if he had seen to much. When he spoke, the disappointment was clear in his voice and seemed to hit everyone like a physical blow. "I had hoped that you would notice. I had hoped that for once you would look closer, instead of taking everything at face value. I clearly hoped in vain. I should have known that it was foolish to believe you would ever change." And with those parting words he turned and walked away, leaving the assembled gods, demigods, legacies, and nature spirits in stunned silence.