Percy muses about the Great Prophecy and the properties of a true hero. Set sometime in between The Titan's Curse and The Battle of the Labyrinth.
Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians.
Hero of the Prophecy
He sits in the back of the classroom, trying to pay attention to his math teacher, but hopelessly failing. As he gives up on listening, his mind wanders other places.
Sometimes, he wonders what he was thinking when he accepted the full weight of the prophecy, faced the fact that he would determine whether Olympus would fall, and decided that Nico would not be the prophecy kid. He wonders what sort of being possessed him so to make him decide that he, Perseus Jackson, son of Poseidon would shoulder the burden of the Great Prophecy.
He tells himself that in the past, heroes have accepted prophecies.
However, is he a hero? The most accepted definition of hero is a person, who often has superhuman abilities, who performs self-sacrificing acts for the greater good of his people. However, those sorts of people don't really exist. The 'greatest hero of all time', Heracles, killed many people, and many of his acts were for his own good, and to ensure his name would last throughout the ages.
The concept of heroes seems overrated, since everyone has faults, especially demigods. His fatal flaw is personal loyalty, though some might consider that his strength.
Perhaps he might not be a hero, but he has been born into that position. Because he is a son of Poseidon, who is one of the three elder gods, he must accept the unwanted burden of having the fate of Western Civilization on his shoulders.
None of the Great Prophecies had to do with the fate of Olympus, and none of them had to do with defeating Kronos before he destroyed Western Civilization.
Once he turns sixteen, every choice that he makes will count. It is not something as simple as saying 'I choose Olympus instead of Kronos', that would be too simple, and fate is cruel. Maybe the world could end over something as simple as running to help a fallen friend, or a sword stroke that he failed to block. A single mistake and Kronos might rule. Being the prophecy kid is never easy, but if your very existence defies an oath that was sworn on the river Styx, who said life will be easy?
After all-
"Percy," a voice says, sounding slightly irritated. He snaps out of his reverie.
"Uh… what?" he stammers. The class laughs.
"What is the answer to question number five?" his teacher asks.
"Um…" he says, trying to buy himself time, while scanning the board. After a deciphering the writing, "Each student will get five point two five biscuits."
"Try again" the teacher said, a slightly bemused smile on her face.
After another few moments, he decides to respond again, "six point one five?"
Good job," the teacher says. "Who would like to answer question six?"
He decides that he isn't a hero, but has to act like one anyways. After all, is someone who can't even do a simple mathematical equation a hero? Fate is simply playing a cruel joke on him, but he will try his hardest to be a hero. He will try his hardest to please others, to fulfill their expectations.
Maybe heroism is not about achievements, physical appearance, or prophecies. Maybe, only the pure at heart can be true heroes; perhaps it is just about your motives.
So here is one of my one-shot ideas. Sorry it's so short. Anyways, please review. I would especially appreciate some feedback about the tense, since I think it might have switched somewhere in the middle.
I'm actually going to try NaNoWriMo, so during November, I don't think I'm going to be on here often. I'm writing a fanfic, so I'll probably post it sometimes during December.