The Rise of the Fallen Hero
A/N: I'm writing this story because I watched the preview for the Dark Knight Rises (which looks awesome by the way), and I got this weird idea of how Percy would be banned from an increasingly totalitarian Camp Jupiter. Here's the full summary:
After being mortally injured in the second Giant War, Percy and Reyna aren't able to serve as praetors. The campers elect Jason and Annabeth (who have fallen in love), now war heroes for their exploits during the war, as their replacements. Octavian is also now favored among both the Greeks and the Romans for saving Camp Jupiter when it was nearly overrun by monsters. He begins to build his political power while Percy and Reyna are out of commission. Since he saved both of their lives, Jason and Annabeth rely on Octavian's counsel, and as a result becomes the leader of the Senate and the general of New Rome's army.
In the meanwhile, Percy recovers and finds out what's happened. he also finds out that Octavian plans to persecute 'suspected' spies from the last war. Although Percy tries his best to stop Octavian from doing so, he ultimately fails, and after he tries to stop the blatant abuse of a few demigods, is banished from camp. He will be exectuted if he ever returns. Luckily, a few good friends decided to stick with Percy, and together, they must a find a way to create a rebllion that would dethrone Jason, Annabeth, and Octavian.
Ok this summary still sucks, but trust me, this is a lot deeper than it seems. Percy will be broken this time around, and he'll nothing to lose but everything to fight for. Another warning: percy will become even more powerful, and this story will be somewhat violent. And italics mean flash back in this chapter, just in case you guys get confused.
As always, Read&Review please!
In a warehouse near the bay of San Francisco, a sixteen year old, green eyed and raven haired boy sat quietly, waiting. He was sitting on a very uncomfortable chair, with his hands on an old black dilapidated fold-up poker table. Across from him, another equally uncomfortable but frustratingly empty chair stared back at him. He could hear the voices of what was left of his friends just outside the door, and their frantic hushed whispers did little to calm his already rattled nerves. His usually handsome face was bruised and beaten, and he looked as if he'd just been blown off a cliff. His face was stained with tears, which were still slowly flowing from his eyes.
The boy's name was Percy Jackson.
He was waiting for his father, Poseidon, the god of the sea.
Percy tapped his fingers on the table again.
Then in a flash of light his father appeared in his usual fisherman's getup; khaki shorts, a t-shirt, and a tan fishing vest filled with all sorts of fishing gear. He held a long fishing rod, which while it looked innocent, was actually his incredibly destructive and incredibly powerful trident.
Poseidon said nothing as he walked over to Percy. He stood there for a moment, and then Percy got up and hugged him, and Poseidon hugged his favorite demigod son back tightly, stroking his hair. Then Percy let him go and sat down.
"It's over. It's over dad, they banned me from Camp Jupiter," Percy said as he looked at the table. He sighed quietly, and continued, "They…They said I'm not…their hero anymore…Jason is…" as he spoke, Percy's green eyes drifted, and he heaved, not from sorrow but from pain.
"There, there son…calm down," Poseidon said quietly. Percy paused for a moment, and then wiped his tears. He looked up at his father as he recalled the day's events in his mind.
"What do you fight for…"
A crowd of Romans and Greek demigods alike chanted Annabeth and Jason's names as they stepped out the injured Reyna's principia. They walked out beaming, hand-in-hand, and Jason raised his sword. The crowd roared in excitement.
"When the people you fought to protect so long and so hard…"
"Reyna may be injured," Jason said. The crown instantly silenced for a minute, apparently giving the nearly paralyzed Reyna a moment of silence. "But I have decided to listen to you, the people-"The crowd roared again, cutting him off, it took Jason several moments to get them to be silent again. "And I have, with approval of the Senate, retaken my former post as your Praetor!" This time the crowd's praise and applause sounded like thunder. "As Percy is also dealing with some…physical and emotional issues…the Senate and I have decided to choose Annabeth Chase-" the crowd thundered.
"Beloved daughter of Athena and slayer of Giants-"More praise. "As your new second praetor!" Jason bellowed and kissed Annabeth fiercely on the lips. There was a far amount of ooing and awing from the crowd. After they finished kissing, Annabeth smiled and addressed the crowd, "And who can forget Octavian, our new hero and champion who, when all hope was lost, not only saved the camp, but some of our Chosen Seven as well-" the crowd boomed and several girls screamed Octavian's name. He stepped out from the crowd with a smug look on his face. Jason continued for Annabeth, "He will be my right hand man and counselor because he has politely declined the position of praetor-" the crowd awwwed for a moment. "And will instead serve as the head of the Senate and our first acting general!" The crowd roared again, and Octavian smiled.
"…With everything you have…."
Percy and Reyna fought back to back in an old Roman temple over a cliff. Percy had no idea where the rest of his friends were, but he knew he had to find protect Reyna for as long as he could against the giant that was meant to be Ares's opposite. Percy dodged and parried the giant's huge sword, and tried his damnedest not be hit by the arrows that some Laistrygonian giants were raining down upon him. Reyna was at his back with a hand and half foot sword imperial gold sword in each hand, slashing and hacking madly, killing any hellhound or Cyclops or snake lady that got too close.
They were in Greece.
And this was the final battle.
Suddenly, the giant opened his palm, and huge fireball exploded from it, directly at Percy. Percy tried to push Reyna out of the way, but he was too slow: he and Reyna were blow a hundred meters, and they crashed painfully down onto the hard stone. Percy was dazed and barely alive. All he could hear was ringing in his ears, and everything was blurry. He had lost Riptide, but something told him it would appear in his pocket later. He looked around and saw that the blast had taken out most of the monsters as well, save for a few dazed hellhounds. Percy got up, first on all fours, then on his knees. He managed to stand by using a column for support.
He looked across the stone temple and saw that Reyna was still alive.
And still fighting.
One of her swords had been blown away, and there was blood dripping from her mouth, but she was still slashing at the giant. Percy watched as she rolled to avoid another swing from the giant's humongous sword, and, coming up from behind him, stabbing in the ankle, drawing blood. The giant roared and said, "DIE!" he swatted at her again.
She dodged it.
Percy started to run to help her, but a hellhound tackled him from behind, slamming him to the ground and biting his back. Percy dug in his pocket and pulled out Riptide, uncapping it and stabbing the hellhound in the jaw, turning him to dust. He got up, holding his back and started toward Reyna and the giant again. They were still fighting fiercely, and Percy was only ten feet away.
Then it happened.
The bane of Mars swept his sword low and Reyna swiftly jumped over it. Then he faked right and Reyna moved left. As she moved left, he slapped her violently with one of his enormous hands. Reyna flew clean across the temple, and almost over the cliff.
"NOOOOOO!" Percy screamed as he watched Reyna start to slip off the cliff. He ran toward her with all of his might, dodging more arrows.
Then an arrow pierced his thigh.
Percy stumbled, but didn't stop. He limped faster, pulling out the arrow. The giant rounded on Percy, smiling.
"Are you ready to die now, Son of Neptune?"
Percy didn't even reply. He simply threw the arrow right at the giant's eyeball. The giant wailed in pain and stomped around, clutching his eyeball and cursing at Percy in Greek.
But Percy kept going.
Another arrow hit him in the side. Percy stumbled again, but didn't stop.
Then Reyna's almost lifeless body started to slip off the cliff.
Percy dropped into a slide, taking more arrows to the body. He managed to grab her hand. Much to his relief, she grabbed it back. She was nearly off the cliff now.
"Percy you have to let me go," she said as her deep brown eyes met his sea green ones.
"Kill the giant. End this. I'm already dead."
"Not yet Reyna, not yet! Stay with me," Percy said as he started to pull her up from the cliff. Reyna nodded, knowing that she wouldn't be able to talk Percy into leaving her. Percy pulled her halfway up and then-
The giant stomped on the temple floor, creating a small earthquake. Reyna slid lower in Percy's grip. She hit her head against the cliff face, and started to black out.
"DON'T YOU DIE ON ME REYNA! DON'T YOU DO IT! COME ON WE STILL GOT A MONSTER TO FIGHT! COME O-" A hellhound suddenly came up from behind and knocked Percy to the ground. Percy kicked him and lashed out with Riptide with his other free hand. He was now lying on the temple's cold stone floor, with one arm extended off the cliff, holding onto Reyna with all of his might. The other arm was madly swinging at the hellhound. The hellhound backed away, and Percy started to pull Reyna up again.
Then the hellhound grabbed Percy's leg.
Its jaws chomped down on his lower leg, and Percy screamed in pain. Then he kicked it in its mouth, and with a slash of Riptide, it turned to dust. Percy watched the blood from the seven arrows embedded in his chest and the bite on his leg spread out around him. The Son of Neptune was going to die, and he knew it. He looked up at the stormy gray sky through the temple's open ceiling. It reminded him of Annabeth's beautiful eyes. He was ready to die right there, with Annabeth's image floating in his mind.
But he had to save Reyna.
He pulled her up, fished out some nectar and ambrosia from his pocket, and shoved a good portion in her mouth, and a little into his. Reyna coughed, and Percy let out a sigh of relief. She would live then, after all.
Then the giant stomped hard on the temple ground. The temple collapsed, and chunks of it started to fall of the cliff.
"I WILL KILL YOU PERCY JACKSON!" The giant screamed as he reached for Percy. Percy let Reyna go.
She slid over the cliff, and he jumped after her, grabbing her in midair.
Then he closed his eyes and fell into the ocean.
When he awoke, it was already over. Apparently, Leo had swooped in with the Argo, and Annabeth and Jason had finished off the giant. Percy and Reyna had been fished from the sea and placed in the med bay of the ship. They said it was miracle that either of them was alive, considering the circumstances. Reyna would need surgery and would be out of commission, and apparently, he would have to rest for a few weeks too.
He had no idea how fast everything would change while he slept.
He remembered waking up and finding Annabeth at his bedside.
"….and the people you loved leave you…"
Annabeth smiled at Percy as he opened his eyes. Percy smiled back, and instantly reached up and kissed her. "You're one of the only reasons I'm still alive Wisegirl," he said as he stroked her cheek. She gave him a small smile, and then hurriedly turned away. Percy didn't interpret this as anything different, however, and continued, "I remembered your crazy gray eyes, and I knew I had to see you again-and get on your nerves one more time." Percy laughed, but Annabeth remained silent.
"Oh come on Annabeth, I'll be fine. Is Reyna okay? Why are you so quiet anyway?"
"Percy," she said as she turned to him. Her eyes were brimming with tears.
"What's the matter Wise-" She interrupted him in a choked voice.
"We can't do this anymore Percy…I'm in love with someone else now," she said finally. Then she broke out crying.
"Ha! Yeah right Wisegirl. Nice joke though, but um, can't fool me. I may have kelp for brains, but I'm not stupid. I know you love me," Percy said, giving her a crooked half smile. But Annabeth continued to cry.
"N-n-no Percy," She said between sobs, "I'm not joking. I fell for someone else while we were in Rome. I'm sorry Percy…I'm so sorry…"
"Wait, wait, wait what? Okay so, since I was gone for awhile you just-just moved on? Why would you- Who did you-" Percy stuttered as he tried to find the words. Annabeth simply touched his face, giving him a small kiss on the lips.
Then she left.
"…When they toss you aside…"
A few weeks later and Percy was all bandaged up and, much to his doctor's displeasure, out of the hospital. The only people who were there to see him out were Leo, Piper, Tyson, Frank, Hazel, and Nico. Percy hadn't wanted a huge crowd anyway, but he was shocked to see the camp so desolate-and to see that Annabeth hadn't even bothered to see him out. After Tyson and his friends gave him a few bear hugs, he asked the question.
"Where is everybody?"
Piper started crying, and Leo shook his head. Frank started to say something, but then he stopped, apparently not able to find the words. It was Nico who told him.
"They're all in a rally on the Via Principaelis…by the principia."
Piper started crying again.
"What's the rally abou-" Then Percy heard the chanting. He slowly walked over to large crowd that had amassed by the principia. He watched as Annabeth and Jason kissed, and then he heard of Octavian's new role in the Senate. His hand slowly balled up into a fist.
"…And you lose their respect…"
"Jason, what are you doing? Why are giving Octavian so much power?" Percy said as he paced around the principia. A good deal of his bandages had been taken off by now, but his doctors still recommended rest.
And Percy still ignored them.
"Look Percy, Octavian saved the camp, and let's face it he's pretty damn good leader and speaker. Besides Owly and I are the praetors, which means we will always have the highest authority over the camp," Jason said calmly. Annabeth sat in a corner, playing with a Ipad, purposefully avoiding Percy's eyes.
"Owly? Ahaha, wow what a great pet name for my ex-girlfriend. But whatever. I'm here for the camp, not to duke it out with you about some girl. I know it may seem as if Octavian is a nice guy now, but trust me Jason, he's playing you. He purposefully rejected the-my-praetor seat because he knew that if he started changing everything, people would call him a tyrant…and they'd be right!"
"Percy, you're not thinking rationally," Annabeth said from the corner, "You're still wounded, and I heard you suffered some minor brain damage when you fought that giant."
Percy laughed a little maniacally.
"Are you calling me crazy? And since when can someone take the seat of a praetor who's still able to serve his post?"
"Percy," Annabeth started, but Jason held up his hand to tell her to stop. Then he continued, "The senate, and a good majority of the camp thought it would be better if you recovered peacefully, so we decided to bump you down to officer."
"And nobody told me?"
They both simply stared at him.
"Look I'm not Roman, so quite frankly I could give a damn whether I have power or not. I actually didn't want to be praetor anyway. But I do give a damn when you guys let a sleezeball like Octavian into a position of power. Do you have any idea what he will do to this camp? To the people of New Rome? He's playing both of you, and I'm shocked you can't see it! I'm especially disappointed in you Annabeth," Percy said as he started to walk out.
"Oh and you will have to give up that Praetor seat…because Reyna will get better…trust that." And Percy left, slamming the door behind him and running straight for the hospital.
Reyna greeted him with a smile when he entered. "So are they going to knock out Octavian or what?"
Percy frowned, and said, "No."
Reyna suddenly reached up and grabbed him, pulling him close to her. He was only inches away from her face.
"Listen to me Percy. You have to make sure Octavian doesn't do anything crazy. Fight for me in the Senate. And you have to get better, you hear me? I know you nearly died trying to save me…and I am still in your debt Percy Jackson. But it will take me at least a month to recover, so you have to be the one to fight for the people of New Rome. And…you have to because…you're a hero Percy, and a warrior. And you're a fair and rational person. You don't just pretend to be one, like Octavian. You can't be smooth talked into anything. So please Percy…fight for my camp's freedom, ok?"
"Freedom? Reyna I don't Octavian will do anything that-"
"Percy in the next Senate meeting, he's going to persecute all of the Romans 'suspected' in helping Gaea attack the camp while we were in Greece. And by suspected, I mean his enemies and opposition in the Senate. And now I know Jason and Annabeth will back him."
"Wait so he's going to-"
"Yes…he will fight to banish or…execute any suspected spies. He will convince the people that if he doesn't take control, those who still believe in Gaea's cause can allow monsters into the camp. And then he'll slowly help his allies gain more power-"
"And become even more of a hero for doing so. He'll be even more popular than Annabeth or Jason, just because it'll look like he's ridding the camp of spies."
"Yes. Yes he will," she grabbed Percy's cheeks and bore into his green eyes. Then she kissed him passionately, and Percy couldn't help but kiss back with as much enthusiasm. Then she let him go and said, "I'm still in your debt Percy Jackson…and you'll always be in my heart." Percy smiled and hugged her, and as she hugged him back he said, "I'll fight for you."
"…And you lose their faith…"
"YOU CAN NOT PERSECUTE ROMANS AND GREEKS BECAUSE THEY ARE SUSPECTED OF BEING SPIES! AND IF THEY WERE EVEN SPIES, WE ALL KNOW OF GAEA'S POWERS-THEY COULD'VE EASILY BEEN TRICKED INTO BEING ONE!" Percy roared to the Senate, his words echoing off of the walls of the hall like Senate building. A few senators nodded, and Senator Larry interjected, "I agree with the Son of Neptune! This is madness! If we throw these demigods out on mere suspicions, they will be killed or eaten by monsters out there!"
Then Octavian stood up, and addressing the Senate in his usual rational, smooth voice, "Now that is agreeable, Percy, Larry. But should we really risk the safety of the hundreds of citizens and campers of New Rome for a few that were, in fact, the reason the Giant's were able to breach our camp's defenses?"
The Senators, Jason and Annabeth included murmured their agreement.
"We're not executioners, and we don't damn our brothers and sisters on sheer suspicion," Percy said as he glared at Octavian. Octavian halted for a minute, and then began, "We all know you Greeks place blind faith in your campers-I remember you had a few spies for Kronos in your camp during the second Titan war-and didn't they end up costing several campers their lives? I think one was a girl from the Aphrodite cabin," he said he looked coldly at Piper who glared daggers back at him.
"We are not Greeks, Percy Jackson. We are Roman, and we eliminate all threats and weaknesses from our state," he concluded, and most of the Senate applauded.
"This is just another power trip for him!" Percy yelled over the applause, "He's just using you!" The applause died instantly, but the every manipulative Octavian still managed to twist it his way.
"Percy please. Don't go into your delusional claims again. We all appreciate what you did in Greece, but that head injury has…well…" he turned to the crowd, "Rattled your mind a little."
"I. Did. Not. Suffer. From. Brain. Damage. I didn't even hit my head Octavian! Stop trying to fool everyone into thinking what you're doing is best for the Camp!" Leo, Piper, Frank, Nico, and Hazel all started to support Percy, but Frank held up his hand again.
"There are several eye-witnesses-"
"Bullsh*t!" Leo yelled, standing up from his seat. Several senators looked at him. He quickly sat down.
"As I was saying, there are several eye-witnesses who said you hit your head Percy. I know you don't remember, but that's fine, it happens sometimes. Now all of those who agree with the decision to persecute spies and traitors of this camp and establish a task force to root them out, say Aye!"
Most of the Senate said Aye.
"Those who don't, say Neigh!"
Only five senators said neigh, Percy and Nico included.
Percy sank into his chair dejectedly.
"…And they curse you…"
Percy drank one full cup of ambrosia. It burned up his insides, but he was instantly healed again. He flexed his leg and started to leave the barracks when Piper ran in. She looked frantic and still beautiful even if she was slightly disheveled, especially since she started to let her hair grow out.
"Percy! Percy! They're trying to banish these-these-kids and Leo and Frank can't do anything, it's like-and Jason and Annabeth are just watching-why-it's-"Piper was so angry she was starting to run out of words.
"Calm down Piper, tell me where they're at, I'll stop this," Percy said as he grabbed Riptide.
"They're at Via Praetoria in front of that chariot shop," she said as she started running. Percy hurried after her.
When he arrived, he was horrified at what he saw. Four roman demigods clad in the Octavian's ridiculous guard uniforms were stand over three bound, teen demigods. "The People's Watch" as Octavian liked to call it, sneered and shouted at the demigods from under their purple armor, which had long golden strips running down its arms and legs and shoulders. A small crowd had gathered to watch PW make their first arrest, and Annabeth and Jason were there as well. The suspected demigods in question couldn't have been any less threatening; two were thirteen year old boys, and one looked as if he could be no older than fifteen.
And they all looked scared out of their minds.
Leo and Frank were already arguing with the guards and Frank kept trying to pull his officer's rank on them to let the demigods go. Percy walked up to the guards and asked, "What is going on here?"
The PW shaped up immediately. The leader, and tall brown haired seventeen-year-old, responded in an overly formal voice:
"Officer Jackson, these three have been suspected of treason, and under Octavian's law, are subject to due punishment before they are considered for trial…or banishment."
"And what evidence of treason do you have, exactly?"
"We received a good tip from an anonymous source that these three were illegally sending messages to the last of Mother Earth's army."
"So now what will you do with them?" Percy asked, praying that it wouldn't be too harsh a punishment.
"Ahem," the leader coughed, "Under Octavian's law, the offenders will be given ten lashes each and taken to the new Reform and Retribution center, in which they will be interrogated vigorously. If they are found to be innocent, they will be placed on probation and supervision with minimal activity for a month, and if they are found guilty, they will receive lifetime bans from this camp."
Percy frowned and said, "Let me get this straight. You're going to whip a bunch of kids that are 'suspected' of being spies, put them on probation if they aren't and banish them if you can 'find' any type of evidence that are?"
"Yes sir."
"Well then," Percy uncapped Riptide, "I'm afraid I can't let you do that." He stepped in front of the prisoners and held his sword by his side. Jason and Annabeth quickly pushed the shocked PW guards out of the way. Annabeth spoke first.
"Percy, they may be spies! Move out of the way!"
"So they deserved to be punished based on suspicion?"
"Percy its just protocol-they're just following rules. Move. Now," Annabeth said as she got in Percy's face. Percy looked past Annabeth and saw Jason's hand ready to flip his coin-transforming-sword open. But Percy wouldn't back down.
"No."
"Fine then Perseus Jackson," an all too familiar voice boomed from a few meters away. It was Octavian, clad in his absurd uniform-and to make matters worse, he had half of the camp with him.
"Let him let the spies go. Let him let our enemies go, and let them lead more monsters into our sanctum!" The crowd roared in protest.
"Let more Roman and Greek blood be spilled because of Percy Jackson's 'morals' and 'feelings'. Who knows, maybe Percy is a spy."
Then the crowd chimed in.
"Percy! They killed my brother Percy! They deserve to be punished!"
"My boyfriend's throat was slit in his sleep by a monster because of those TRAITORS!"
"Why are you defending them? You're not even praetor anymore."
"Go back to the sea you washed up clown!"
"He just wants to steal the spotlight again…"
And so on.
Percy rolled his neck slowly. He could hear Piper trying to calm everyone down, but Octavian just kept pumping them up.
"These kids-YOUR brothers-"he said as he pointed into the crowd, "And YOUR sisters, deserve a fair trial. Octavian is just going to punish them without any type of conclusive evidence!"
But the crowd ignored Percy. They adored Octavian and Jason and Annabeth, who were supporting him. They soon started chanting, "MOVE PERCY MOVE! MOVE PERCY MOVE!" Percy looked back at the kids, whose heads had fallen. One looked up at him with such innocent eyes; Percy knew he was no spy.
"No. I won't move," Percy said as he stood his ground. Almost instantaneously, Frank and Leo stepped at his sides.
"I stand with Percy," Leo said quietly.
"I will stand with Percy," Frank said.
Then Piper moved to step in with Frank and Leo.
"I stand with Percy Jackson."
Then little Hazel stood next to Frank.
"I will stand with Percy Jackson."
Percy looked at his friends in amazement.
"You guys don't have to do this for-" Frank interrupted Percy.
"Save it buddy, we'd do this even if you weren't here."
Leo winked at Percy, "Yeah Seaweed brain, you know I've always been a little crazy."
Percy turned back to the crowd and saw some doubt on their faces. If so many heroes were standing up for these three, was it really right for them to be punished?
Then Octavian opened his mouth again.
"Percy Jackson is a traitor!"
Percy stepped toward Octavian and raised his sword.
"Call me anything-coward, stupid, whatever, but don't you EVER call me a traitor," Percy said with a cold lethal anger. Octavian smiled.
"Percy Jackson, you've just drawn your weapon at a People's Guard. The punishment for that is detainment and in your case-demotion." Then Octavian drew his sword.
"And you WILL move out of the way," he sneered.
Percy didn't move an inch.
"Fine then," Octavian said as he stepped away, "Detain all of them!"
The PW reluctantly moved forward, drawing their swords. The leader moved toward Percy. Percy looked at him and said, "Please don't make me hurt you." The guard flinched and backed away.
Suddenly Jason stepped forward. "Percy move. Now. We can settle this later, but for right now these people are suspects and they can at least be sent to R&R center."
Percy looked Jason in the eye.
"You and I both know, Jason, that these three are innocent."
"Move Jackson! That's an order!"
"I guess I just disobeyed orders then," Percy said coolly. Jason's face became beet-red. "You what?"
"You heard me Grace."
They stared at each other fiercely, green eyes to blue. Percy could almost feel the tension between the two in the air and everyone in the crowd had silenced.
Then Octavian stepped forward and pushed Leo out of the way.
Percy instinctively moved to help him.
Then all hell broke loose.
First the PW guards decided to grow a pair and charged Piper, Frank and Hazel, who were unarmed. Frank took one out with a one-two punch and Hazel tackled another. Piper drew her dagger and started to spar with the last one.
Percy's sword intercepted the leader of the PW squad. The head guard slashed at Percy, and Percy easily dodge, smacking him with the flat edge of Riptide in the ribs. The guard groaned and fell back. Percy slashed at him again, purposefully missing his nose by inches. The guard yelped and back away. Then Percy somersaulted toward Octavian, who had grabbed one of the accused demigods. He raised his sword and sliced the ridiculous plume off of Octavian's helmet. Octavian spun around and jabbed at Percy in the ribs. Percy quickly sidestepped the weak attack, and with a flick of the wrist, he had used Riptide to disarm Octavian.
"Enough is enough," Percy said as he pointed Riptide at Octavian's throat.
Then Jason tapped him on the shoulder.
"…beat you…" Percy choked out as he remembered the fight between him and Jason. It had been long and brutal, and it had ended on Temple Hill.
Percy stood on the roof of his father's temple, facing Jason. He was bleeding badly from a wound in his side. Jason looked no better, with several jagged sword marks across his body.
But he still had his weapon.
Riptide had just gone off the cliff, and Percy knew it would be at least a minute before it reappeared for him again.
And by then it would be too late.
Jason advanced toward Percy with his imperial sword drawn.
"I'm sorry Percy. It didn't have to end like this," he said between coughs.
"It still doesn't Jason. Please. Stop this madness," Percy asked one last time.
"At least do it for your people!"
"I'm sorry Percy."
Jason Grace, son of Jupiter, slashed Percy Jackson across the body, cutting his SPQR tattoo in half and tearing open a huge strip of flesh on his chest. His Purple Roman shirt lay in tatters, and his Camp Half-Blood undershirt was nearly destroyed too.
Percy fell to his knees.
Then lightning struck the temple, blasting Percy off of the cliff and into the water below.
"When they damn you?"
"Well what do I fight for now? Why should I keep fighting?"
Posiedon looked into his sons eyes, and then he gazed around the empty warehouse room. He sighed, and then said, "You fight for what's right son."
Percy fell headfirst into the water.
"And you know it'll hurt."
Percy surfaced from the water holding his chest, which was starting to heal. He looked at his arm and saw his SPQR symbol had been magically altered; not only would the wound stop bleeding, but now his score mark had been slashed by a golden X that burned his skin. The letters SPQR were crossed out by a golden line.
"It'll always hurt son."
Percy climbed onto the shore and screamed in pain, clutching his arm. Rain started to fall heavily on his face. It hurt so much.
"But you must endure son."
Annabeth gone.
"As you always have."
Banished from New Rome.
"Because now you and your friends out there are the only chance of freedom that camp will ever get," Poseidon said as he dug into his fishing vest pockets. He soon took a familiar ballpoint pen and some white adhesive wrap around bandages.
"Because now you have to transcend becoming just a hero Percy," he slid the pen across the table. "You have to become a beacon of hope, and you must become stronger."
"Now pick up your sword son."
Percy picked up Riptide and uncapped it. Poseidon tossed him the bandages. "And cover up that wound."
"No. I don't think I want too cover this up…I need to remember…to never forget," Percy said as he wrapped the bandage around the part of his arm that wasn't covered with SPQR tattoo. The stark white bandage was in direct contrast to Percy's tanned skin and blood-stained orange shirt.
Poseidon stood up to leave, "Now remember Percy. You may be down now-"
Percy Jackson stood up and grabbed his sword from the table. The Celestial bronze shined in the near darkness of the warehouse.
"But I'm not out yet."
Alright, so there's the beginning for you. The story's set, but if you guys want more, please review! If not, well you can still review and tell what I did wrong! So anyway please review if you want me to carry on!