Chapter 32
Percy couldn't sleep. He just couldn't. After tossing and turning in bed for an hour he just gave up on sleep. It was the day before the battle. Kronos had remained completely silent except for that warning a week ago. He wasn't complaining but...something about it made him uneasy. He pushed that thought aside and thought about tomorrow.
All of their preparations were done, the traps and tents had been set up. The Roman Legions was also ready. The troops knew their positions and they would be ready, when the time came.
Percy was confident that this time they would beat them without many casualties. After mentally going through every plan they had put in place twice.
They had let Kronos' army come through to Olympus, so there would be no damage to the civilian life below, although the Gods (Read: Zeus and Hera) weren't too happy about it, they had to concede defeat.
Percy finally got up, and picked Arius, quietly making his way out, he tip-toed past their rooms, peeping in quietly to make sure all of them were asleep. They looked peaceful, especially Tony, who rarely slept because of nightmares, just like him, so the two had spent many-a-nights together just talking sometimes joined by the other Avengers.
He smiled softly and left, hoping to exhaust himself so he would be able to sleep, when he reached the training grounds however he was surprised, Tyson stood their testing some weapon.
"Hey big guy!" He called out curious.
Tyson turned towards him with a big grin on his face, "Hey brother!"
Tyson bounded up to him and they both sat down on one of the nearby benches.
"So what are you doing up Tyson?" Percy quietly asked. Tyson just as quiet replied,
"No sleep, bad dreams." Percy felt his heart break for his baby brother but there was nothing he could do except talk with him for now.
"Me too, big guy, me too. Why don't you tell me some of the things you did in dad's forges?" Percy asked.
That worked and Tyson lit up in excitement as he began recounting the dozens of stories about what they had done, and were building.
Percy happily listened to Tyson ramble on and on. Tyson told him stories of the baby Cyclops who seemed really cute from what Percy had heard.
Next thing they knew it was an hour from dawn, and that was only because Natasha staggered in saying, "Oh so you're here. We've been searching for you, come on, time to get ready. We only have an hour before dawn."
Percy nodded taking a deep breath. His nervousness had returned full force but he squashed it down.
"Let's go kick some enemy ass Tyson." He extended his hand to Tyson who pulled him into a tight hug.
"Be careful brother, I love you." Tyson whispered to him.
Percy ignoring the sudden lump in his throat whispered back, "I love you too big guy, stay safe."
They held on for a moment longer before parting to their separate ways. When he entered his room he saw Tony already sitting on his bed, he looked up when Percy entered though.
"Hey kid, how ya doing?" Tony gently asked, he could sense the nervousness radiating off Percy. Tony himself felt afraid, and sad, he knew what had to happen today but that didn't make it any easier to deal with because he knew no matter how much Percy eased him, this was going to haunt him forever.
Tony stood up looking Percy straight in the eye and said, "Percy, you are going to do great and we will win. I believe in you."
With that said Tony took a step ahead pulling Percy into a tight hug, Percy responded immediately by wrapping his arms around Tony tightly.
Tony whispered in a slightly choked voice, "I love you kid, remember that, we all do." He felt his shoulder dampen but made no comment as he could feel himself tearing up too.
"I love you too, and thank you." Percy replied, voice slightly muffled. The for everything hung unspoken but it was understood by both parties.
"Anytime kid, anytime," Tony whispered once more as they parted. Before pulling away though Tony pressed a kiss to Percy's forehead, much like a parent would do to their kid.
His heart felt heavy already, he hadn't thought much about Percy at first, but the little shit had grown on him, and Tony Stark, the so-called cold-hearted billionaire had come to love him as his own.
As they pulled away Tony kept his gaze on Percy, who nodded once and turned away, Tony swallowed the urge to bubble wrap the kid and place him in a secure place where nobody could even touch him.
He would have traded places with Percy in an instant if it meant Percy was safe, but unfortunately this was reality, and no matter how positive you were sometime you couldn't just help but think how bitter reality was.
He took one last look at the boy who carried the weight of the world on his shoulders before softly closing the door behind him. He leant against it for a moment trying to compose himself.
"It never gets any easier." A sudden hand startled him. He turned around and came face-to-face with Lord Poseidon, not having much energy to say anything Tony simply nodded.
Poseidon acknowledged it and gently said, "It will never get any easier, you just learn to live with the pain. You should go now, the others are searching for you."
Tony nodded, and left but not before taking one last look at Poseidon who was casting a wistful glance at the door, for a moment Tony wondered if that's what he looked like, but quickly dismissed the thought in favour of putting on his mask as the others spotted him.
He couldn't let his weakness show. He felt it slipping when Natasha cast a suspicious glance at his slightly dishevelled appearance but ignored her, instead focusing on others.
"So, you guys ready to kick some Celestial ass?" He asked and the roar that greeted him almost caused him to flinch.
"We'll show that fool, where he belongs." Boomed Thor. Tony glanced around everyone was already dressed, most were preparing and checking their weapons and gear. The only person missing was Thalia who was keeping watch, to alert them immediately.
Tony ate a little breakfast and a huge mug of coffee as Percy entered, Tony silently observed him. Percy looked much better or Tony realized a second later that, the calmness and confidence was a mask. Percy had to stay strong for his Camp.
As much as Tony hated it, it had to be done and everyone present knew it, so when Percy caught his eye Tony simply gave him a reassuring smile and a thumbs-up. Percy after greeting everyone walked over to their table and sat down.
Tony noticed that Percy just kept playing round with his food, although he had had a little bit, yet he couldn't bring himself to tell Percy to eat, since he understood it pretty well.
Before he could make up his mind however a conch horn rang out loud and clear, and the Hall came to a standstill, for a moment it was completely silent as the realization finally sunk in.
Kronos was here.
He looked at Percy beside him who had gone still. Instantly Percy stood up, "Demigods, Gods and Avengers, remember your duty, try not to die and let's show Kronos how strong we are. Let's go kill this son of a bitch."
A huge cheer answered Percy as he stood, exchanging one last glance and smile with Tony, Thalia and Nico. He led everyone out, where they all spread out in their respective positions, with Percy in the centre, and Tony hovering above.
"It's time."