XXI

The Pantheon War

Swipe, stab, slash went through the son of Poseidon's mind as he disarmed yet another Hermes camper during sword fighting class. Percy was antsy, and bored out of his mind waiting for the conclusion of the Clave and Gods meeting. He started taking out his frustrations on campers. He made everyone in class spar with him even though there was no chance they'd win.

He never thought he'd say this, but he wanted to leave Camp. Maybe it was because he was told not to, and he had this rebellious, teenage need to do the opposite, or because (and more likely) he felt as if he was waiting for something to happen and Percy hated waiting.

Frank, Hazel and a couple of cohorts from Camp Jupiter, arrived yesterday. They along with the Ares and Athena cabins have been going over battle plans. Percy attended some of the meetings but soon grew bored and left to make himself busy in another way.

The half-blood really wanted to contact Jace, but he wasn't sure what to say yet. He needed to apologize for being so cold and distrustful towards Jace. He also wanted to thank him for saving his life (again). Mostly Percy just wanted to make sure they were still friends or not. Percy felt bad for always acting so suspicious of the shadowhunter, even though the latter proved his loyalty time and time again. If any good came out of this whole ordeal, it would be that Percy has finally let himself have faith in others to do what's right and to have his back.

"Okay okay chill Percy I'm dead!" Connor Stoll squealed as Percy backed him into the wall his practice saber at the older demigod's throat. Percy blinked, he was so engrossed in his thoughts he had stopped really paying attention to the fight.

"Oh um sorry Conner." Percy said sheepishly backing off and rubbing the back of his neck. Connor just looked at the camp leader with a mixture of fear and annoyance.

"Yeah well choose another way to take out your anger. My siblings and I are done being your punching bags." He spat. Stepping away from the wall and brushing off his clothes as the rest of the campers filed out dumping their practice swords in the barrel.

"Guys, I'm sorry!" Percy called out following them, but ended up stopping short and just muttered curses to himself in annoyance as he threw his sword at a dummy. The sword hit the dummy straight in the heart before clattering to the ground.

"Nice throw, but you should really spar with someone your own size. I'd volunteer but I'm taller." Jason's voice called from the doorway. Percy looked up his glare softening as Jason came up and they exchanged a bro shake.

"An inch hardly makes a difference." Percy grumbled. Jason grinned as he went over to pick out a practice saber.

"What's on your mind dolphin boy?" Jason asked tossing the saber around testing its weight.

"I don't think I can handle another war Jason, and the enemy we're fighting isn't exactly evil." Percy muttered leaning against the shield rack while fiddling with his pen.

"Percy just because you have a friend on enemy lines doesn't make their cause good. You have to be ready to fight Jace if the time arises. Can you do that?" Jason asked seriously looking Percy right in the eye. Percy scoffed.

"Dude that's like saying if our fathers were at war with each other, we would fight each other." Percy exclaimed. Jason frowned.

"A proper roman would put their country before friendships, but I'm a different man now." Jason muttered to himself.

"Jason I promise that I'll always put camp first, and do what I have to in order to keep it safe. I-I just don't like this. These aren't monsters, these are people. The real monster is the person leading them. This just doesn't feel right." Percy insisted. Jason nodded.

"Yeah I don't like it either, but everything will turn out alright. We're undefeated right?" Jason asked with a grin. Percy laughed bitterly.

"Yeah, let's hope so."

"You ready?" Clary asked leaning on the door frame of Jace's room. She was dressed in her gear, her expression bored and conflicted.

"Yeah.' Jace answered solemnly as he finished lacing up his boots. They walked silently down the halls of the Institute towards the garage where Jace's demon cycle was kept. It was around 3am as they snuck out.

"Are you sure about this Jace?' Clary asked again for the umpteenth time. The golden boy sighed.

"No, but he won't attack us. I promise." Jace muttered as he swung his leg over his ride.

"It's not Percy I'm worried about, it's his friends besides what if we start war by doing this?" Clary pointed out again. Jace kick-started the bike and pulled out into the street, before accelerating and taking off into the sky like a jet.

"You brought the white flag right?" Jace asked. Clary rolled her eyes and snuggled closer to Jace as she watched the lights of the city zipping by as they flew above. Eventually they landed on an old farm road. It was so dark they could only see a few yards in front of them with the headlights of the motorcycle. Jace parked and they started climbing up the hill, the smell of strawberries in the wind.

"Halt! Who goes there?!" A voice commanded. Suddenly torches blazed to life, revealing a dozen archers dressed in gleaming bronze armor. Their sights and arrows trained on the two shadowhunters.

The owner of the voice carried a spear with electricity sparking off the blade. Their helm was shaped like a boar's head. Clary could see the fire reflected in the leaders eyes through the slit of the helm.

"You two look like angel brats." The leader snarled leveling their spear. Clary thrust her white flag and waved it furiously.

"We come in peace. My b-friend and I don't believe in the ways of our people the nephilim, and we wish to aid you in the potential war against them." Clary said quickly hoping that she sounded stronger and more confident than she felt. At first she was going to say boyfriend but she caught herself. No need to give these possible enemies any leverage over her and Jace. The girl (Clary guessed) lowered her spear slightly.

"Deserters eh? If it were up to me, I would still kill you. If there's anything Ares hates more than losing its deserters on either side." She growled the charge increasing on the spear head. Suddenly, an owl swooped in morphing into a guy dressed head to toe in golden armor. He landed on his feet lightly next to the spear wielding girl. Clary's eyes widened. Just when she thought she thought she understood this camp it just got crazier.

"However, Mars will take any advantage he can get. Who are you? And why should we believe you?" he demanded in the voice of a commander. The girl scowled at the newcomer and lowered her spear muttering curses under her breath. Jace put his hand up in a surrender gesture, and threw his stele and seraph blade on the ground. He nudged Clary to do the same.

"We're defenseless, we only wish to talk with your leaders." Jace reasoned carefully. The golden boy looked at the shadowhunter pair wearily.

"Oh sure likely story. Give us one good reason why we shouldn't just gut you now like you did to Birei?" The girl spat.

"Clarisse." The boy berated tiredly.

"What?" she snarled as she ripped off her helm reveling a girl with fiery eyes. "You can't be naïve enough to trust these people. Gods, I still can't believe you and I are related Zhang." Clarisse muttered. The boy scowled.

"Who's the Praetor here? Who's saved the world? Yeah that's right me. Now you can work with me or stay out of my way. It's your choice La Rue!" he growled. The daughter of Ares huffed at her half-brother looking like she wanted to run her spear through them instead of the shadowhunters.

"Fine, We'll let you talk, but we won't let you in." she granted looking up to the shape-shifter daring him to challenge her again. He just nodded in approval. She turned to one of the soldiers still pointing their blade in the nephilim's direction.

"Wazowski, tell Prissy and know-it-all to get their buts over here. Now!" she ordered. The kid gave the two children of the war-god a hasty salute before rushing off up the hill.

"Clarisse if this is another one of your jokes, I swear…" Percy began as he walked up but stopped when he recognized Jace and Clary. Percy clenched his fists, he wasn't sure if he was ready to talk to Jace just yet, but now it seemed as if he didn't have a choice. Luckily Annabeth was there to save the day as usual.

"Clarisse, Frank why don't you and your cohort check the southern border. Percy and I will be alright.' She suggested although there was an undertone of "tht is an order." Frank looked uneasy, but morphed into a hawk and flew away. Clarisse rolled her eyes muttering insults under her breath as she and her warriors marched off.

"Prissy huh?" Jace began. Percy sighed.

"So that is how we're going to start." He muttered annoyed. Jace grinned.

"I'm just disappointed I never came up with that." He said with a toothy smile.

'Well, I guess it's better than the usual sea related names." Percy admitted.

"Boys! We are here for more important matters." Clary interrupted annoyed. Annabeth smiled, she'd like this girl if it wasn't for the fact that their two pantheons were enemies.

"Look we appreciate your offer, and your help in the past. We know that you two mean well, it's just you two shouldn't be here.' Annabeth began.

"Because your people hate us, and won't accept our help?" Clary asked. Annabeth was about to speak but Percy stepped forward.

"Because if a shadowhunter steps into Olympian territory they'll take it as an act of war, regardless of your intentions. The Gods like to use the kill first ask questions later policy." Percy informed. Jace shook his head in annoyance, and walked up to Percy shoving Annabeth aside gently when she tried to come in between them.

"You mean to tell me I got up in the middle of the night, deserted my friends and family, went against my people, saved your life again just so you could refuse my help?" He growled in Percy's face. Percy's hand instinctively inched towards his back pocket, refusing to back down.

Jace was absolutely furious, but Percy wondered if he just imagined the slight signs of hurt and shame hidden beneath the hunter's rage.

"Hey um Annabeth, I think I saw something towards the east we should probably check it out.' Clary said figuring she should give the boys some space. Jace never faltered. Percy glanced at Annabeth who looked back at him skeptically. She just huffed and rolled her eyes.

"Yeah we should. Lead the way angel girl." She agreed. When they were out of earshot Jace stepped forward, making Percy take a step back.

"Well?' Jace growled.

"Get out of my face, Jace!" Percy ordered gruffly maneuvering around him and away from Jace's burning gaze.

"I need an answer half-blood. You can't ignore me forever. It's physically impossible for someone to ignore me for over a minute.' He growled some of his usual narcissism leaking into his speech.

"Saved my life?! Maybe my life wouldn't have needed saving if you wouldn't have taken so long to figure things out!" Percy retorted angrily.

He hadn't expected to get angry with Jace, but the half-blood had been so tense the last couple of days his patience had been gradually wearing down. Now Jace's sudden fury just ignited Percy's already short fuse.

Jace reeled back surprised by Percy's sudden anger as well. He didn't plan on making Percy mad. Fortunately, his shock only lasted a couple of seconds before he clenched his fists and got in the moody demigod's face again. Jace was done making excuses, and risking his life for this kid if he was always going to act so ungrateful and doubtful of him.

"I wouldn't have had to save your ass. If you had just stayed out of the city like I warned you!" Jace retorted. Percy stepped forward eyes swirling like miniature hurricanes.

"Did you really expect me to just run away like a coward, and sit by while the nephilim just kept murdering my friends? Do you know me at all?" Percy asked forcibly. They were nose to nose glaring at each other in a battle of will. Jace recognized the hurt, and betrayal hidden behind the intense anger in Percy's gaze. The shadowhunter saw it because that's how he felt on the inside.

"Oh I know exactly who you are. You're the one who always runs head first into things, and ignores all the warnings and danger.' Jace snarled. Percy's glare intensified.

"Oh yeah, like Mr. hot-shot Jace Lightwood is any different." Percy retorted sarcastically crossing his arms. Jace sighed extravagantly throwing his hands in the air. Percy wondered for a moment if the shadowhunter was going to take swing at him.

"What the hell is your problem Jackson? Here I am trying to help you and make up for my mistakes and you won't let me." Jace shouted.

"I already told you why you can't. Were you even listening or were you to busy worrying about yourself and your own problems?" Percy spat back cutting deep. "That's why you always come looking for me right? So you can just dump all your troubles on someone who can hardly even handle his own." Percy's voice cracked a little at the end and he bit his lip furiously. He tightened his fists desperately trying to control his emotions. His façade wouldn't/couldn't crumble. He was a master of fear, and sadness.

Jace stepped back in shock, and for once he wasn't sure what to say. The girls started making their way back when they heard the shouting. Jace thought of a bunch of scathing remarks to spit back. He watched as Percy stood there breathing heavily, glaring, fists clenched. Jace realized his friend wanted to fight and was ready for it. Jace shook his head, he wasn't going to let Percy have the satisfaction of baiting him.

"This may come as a shock to you Jackson, but I care. I always have, that's why I'm here. But I get it. Even if you could accept my help you wouldn't, so forget I offered." Jace spat on the ground before turning around back down the hill, he stopped and turned to glance at the demigod one last time.

"I listened to your petty problems to." He spat. "C'mon Clary we're leaving." He ordered still walking away. Clary looked to Annabeth and Percy with uncertain eyes, before reluctantly running to catch up with her boyfriend.

Annabeth reached out and grabbed Percy's wrist. He wouldn't look at her his face set in a grimace. The anger was slowly starting to fade from his mind at Annabeth's touch and presence. He glanced at the shadowhunters receding from, and thought about all their interactions.

He wouldn't miss Jace's showing up uninvited, or his arrogance. It was better this way, maybe if they had never met this whole war would have never happened. He looked up at the stars and unclenched his fists, allowing Annabeth to slip her hand into his.

If there was one thing Percy believed in it was fate. Gods, his entire life seemed like one prolonged prophecy, and he remembered seeing the fates in person what felt like a lifetime ago. He thought some more and realized, If Percy had never met Jace he would have never been warned, and perhaps he would've been killed by the shadowhunters. This isn't what he wanted. He didn't want to be enemies. Jace was right. The shadowhunter had only been helping him the entire time.

"JACE WAIT!" Percy shouted running off toward the nephilim. Jace and Clary turned around. Jace's arms crossed his arms as he leaned against the motorcycle, with a scowl on his face. Percy ran a hand through his hair nervously.

'I'm sorry Jace. I'm sorry I doubted you, and treated you like you were the enemy. I'm sorry I got angry. I should've listened to you. I'm an idiot. Thanks for saving my life again." Percy rambled trying for a smile.

Jace's expression didn't change, he just continued to look down on the half-blood. Percy was about to give up, and go back when Clary elbowed her boyfriend in the ribs. Jace rolled his eyes.

"Well I guess that's one thing we can agree on." Jace relented. Percy wasn't expecting that.

"What?" he asked.

"You're an idiot." Jace said simply his old smug grin creeping up on his face. Percy threw his hands up in surrender.

"So we're cool?" he asked exasperated.

"I don't know are we?" Jace asked sharing a look at Clary who just glared at him in return and nodded her head towards Percy.

"Yeah, we're cool." Jace relented extending his hand for a shake. Percy reached for it but Jace quickly brought his hand back as if to say "ha you fell for it." Percy looked down at his hand and back at the shadowhunter in confusion and annoyance.

"Only if you'll stop having these temper tantrums, and you have to trust me one hundred percent.' Jace added pointedly.

"I don't have temper tantrums!" Percy insisted eyes furious. Jace just looked at Percy pointedly and glanced at Clary who shrugged. Percy sighed.

"Fine, I'll try to stop my temper tantrums." He grumbled.

"And you'll trust me?" Jace said. Percy shook his head and stared up at the sky.

"I'd be stupid to trust you a hundred percent. How about we settle for ninety." Percy negotiated. Jace laughed.

"Sounds good, we're cool." He relented as the two shook hands as friends once again.

"Keep in touch. You still have some Drachmas left right?" Percy asked as Jace and Clary climbed on the motorcycle.

"Nah man, I spent those weeks ago on a new leather Jacket." Jace said popping his collar. Clary clapped him on the back of the head. "Kidding" Jace insisted rubbing the back of his head.

"Nice shot Clary." Percy said with a grin and nod towards her. She winked at him with a sly smile.

"Whatever happens just remember you have us on your side." Clary added in farewell.

"Likewise." Annabeth said walking up to the group and putting an arm around Percy's waist. Percy turned and grinned at her.

"Until we meet again Jackson." Jace called from midair with a mock salute. Percy grinned and returned the salute and watched as his renewed allies zipped off in the rising sun.