Hello everyone my name is son44 and this is A Forgotten Soul. I've had this idea bouncing around in my head for awhile and I just needed to get pen to paper so to speak. I think it has potential to be a great story. I have plans for this story to go straight from here all the way through The Legend of Korra, so fasten your seat belts folks. This is gonna be an awesome ride.
At the bottom there will be an author's note so please check that out! It will give some clarification on a few things that you might be questioning at the end of the chapter.
AN: I do not own PJO or ATLA.
Normally, Aang never got mad. The monks among the Air Temples had taught him to be slow to anger and quick to forgiveness. Yet Aang was seething right now. Toph had failed to protect Appa and now he along with Katara, Sokka, and Momo were stranded inside of the Si Wong Desert.
The group had picked a direction and began to walk. The heat was unbearable and the only water they had was the amount inside of Katara's water skin. It wasn't much, but Aang had made it by on much less.
The beginning of the end though was when Sokka had started to drink the cactus juice. He started waving his arms and spread the fear that they were never going make it out of the desert. In all honesty though, seeing Sokka like that would've been hilarious if they hadn't been in a desert with no clue how to get it.
The first of the group to pass out was Toph. The blind girl had been on the surface absorbing heat for a long time while he, Sokka, Katara, and Professor Zei descended into Wa Shi Tong's library. Katara was quick to aid her and use the last of the remaining water to bring her temperature down, but the rowdy Earthbender was still out cold.
The next to pass out was Sokka. The elder Water Tribe boy was in the middle of going on about giant mushrooms when he face planted into a sand dune and slowly slid down it. Aang and Katara were quick to come to his aid. When they reached the bottom of dune, his head had been stuck in sand and Momo was flopped down next to them.
After a quick discussion, Aang and Katara decided that the best way to move forward was for Aang to airbend the two unconscious friends slightly off the ground. Essentially like a stretcher. Little progress was made after this though. The slow movement of their friends and the constant baking under the sun led to Aang and Katara finally passing out underneath the hot desert sun.
So when Aang woke up to the feeling of a soft pillow underneath his head a familiar feeling of coolness, he was very confused. He sat up from his spot on the ground and took a look around the place he was in.
The room was dark, the only light being a few candles that illuminated the room and few slivers of sunlight that seeped through the wood plank walls. The light revealed to Aang a decent sized house with a small ladder that Aang could only assume lead upstairs. There were a few homemade crafts here, chairs, pots, and a table, that were all beautifully crafted along with a small kitchen area.
It was at that moment Aang started to remember. He was with his friends! Where were they. Aang quickly sprang up only to accidentally step on something. He looked down to see Sokka passed out on the floor with his arms and leg sprawled across the ground. Aang glanced upward again and he saw Katara and Toph sharing a bed. A small smile appeared on Aang's face. Never before had he expected those two to get along, yet share a bed.
It was at that moment Aang heard the door latch open. He quickly turned around and stood at the ready. The monks had taught him pacifism, but it never hurt to be edgy when you woke up inside of a strangers house.
The door swung open and Aang had to squint through the brightness in order to just get a glimpse. However, when the figure finally shut the door, he got a good look at the man whose house he was in.
The figure was towering. Easily much taller than Aang's own 5'4" and probably much taller than Sokka's 5'9". If he had to guess, the man was easily 6'2". The next thing that Aang noticed was the man's features. The man was tan, about a shade lighter than the people of the Water Tribe, yet tan none the less. He had windswept raven black hair and eyes the color of the sea. The man was dressed in long dark pants and a pair of knee high dark brown boots. Around the man's waist were animal furs in which Aang couldn't quite figure out. The man wore no shirt, instead opting for a lone shoulder pad on his right shoulder.
However, the thing that surprised Aang the most was the man's figure. The man was incredibly muscular. He had a six pack of abs along with his arms being covered in firm muscle. The man wasn't overly big though. The best way to describe him was toned in all the right places.
The man closed the door behind him and made his way into the room. As he got closer though, Aang's eyes widened. The man had multiple scars littered across his body. Some were tiny, the smallest being about the length of his pinky toe. The largest were three circular scars, about 2-4 inches in diameter, that were in the man's side right below his rib cage.
During his time at the Air temple, he had eavesdropped on some of the elders and heard a story about warriors battling in the Earth Kingdom. How they were fierce human beings who defended their homeland. The closest Aang had ever seen to a warrior was the Kyoshi Warriors, but the man in front of him was the real deal.
"I see you've finally awakened" the man called out as he made his way into the kitchen area "Come. Sit. Food will be ready soon."
Aang cautiously eyed the man and made his way forward. He sat down on one of the benches near the table. He watched as the man in the kitchen placed food into two bowls. He made his back toward the table and placed the food in front of Aang. The airbender peered inside to see a delicious stew filled with carrots and mushrooms. Aang grabbed the bowl with his hands and lifted it up to his face. He took a slurp and he let out a quiet moan at the taste of the food.
"Wow this is really good" Aang said as he placed the bowl back on the table and looked at the man "Thank you."
The man let out a quiet chuckle, "It's no problem. After finding you and your friends in the desert, I figured you would be hungry."
Aang and the man peered over toward the sleeping figures on the floor. At that moment, Sokka groaned and rolled over, grabbing the pillow that was once Aang's and pulled it close. The man and Aang chuckled at the sight.
"I should be saying thank you" Aang said as he and the man turned back to face one another "You saved me and my friends out in the desert. If you hadn't found us, we might've been Buzzard Wasp food."
"It's nothing" the man said as he stood up "I had business in the desert. You were lucky the sandbenders didn't find you and I did."
At the mention of sandbenders, Aang perked up. Maybe this man knew where Appa was?! However before he could ask, Aang and the man heard a groan over by the bed. Katara had begun to stir. The water bender opened her eyes slowly and gave a little shriek when she saw Toph so close to her. In reaction, Toph woke up and in her shocked state, she fell off the bed and landed on Sokka. The water tribesman let out a 'ouf' when Toph landed on him.
"Oh my gosh Toph! Are you okay?" Katara said as she moved over to the side of the bed to check on the girl.
Toph let out a groan, "Yeah I'm okay. Snoozles over here braced my fall."
"Shh!" Sokka said on the ground "Nobody speak. My head is killing me."
"That's what you get for drinking that cactus juice" Katara said as she got out of bed.
The older girl reached out and grabbed Toph's arm and lifted her up off the ground.
"Woah this place is dirty" Toph said "I like it!"
"Katara! Sokka! Toph!" Aang called out as he jumped up from his seat "You guys are okay!"
"Of course we are Twinkle Toes" Toph replied "Takes a little bit more than desert heat to take us out of commission."
"Shh!" Sokka said from his spot on the floor. He then grabbed a pillow and slammed it over his face.
The group of teenagers let out a laugh at their friend's antics. They then turned around to see the man holding two bowls of stew in their hand.
"Hungry?" he asked.
At that moment, both Toph and Katara's stomachs began to grumble. Katara had an embarrassed look on her face while Toph seemed to remain indifferent to it.
The man chuckled, "Come. Eat."
The man then placed the bowls down and the small group of four took their seats. Katara and Toph sat next to one another on one side of the table, while Aang and the man sat on the other, albeit with some space between the two males.
The two girls dug into their food, and in the meantime, Aang and the man made small talk.
"So… what's your name mister?" Aang asked.
The man was quite for a few moments. Almost as if he was weighing his options. However, right when Aang thought he wasn't going to answer, the man spoke.
"My name is Perseus." The man said simply "But those who were once close to me called me Percy."
"Perseus?" Toph said as she took a break from eating her food "What kind of name is that?"
"The kind that is ancient" Percy responded "and a kind that you have probably have never heard of."
"Sorry about that" Katara said as she elbowed Toph in her side "Toph doesn't have the best manners."
"It's quite alright" Percy said as he accepted the apology, "When I was younger I had a sharp tongue to."
The group laughed a little and continued to make small talk. Katara asked what Percy did for a living and he told them that he was a farmer. He explained how the land near the Si Wong desert had been exceptionally fertile if farmed correctly and how he never abused the land. Farming just enough for him to get by happily.
After a sitting around and conversing, Sokka finally made his way to the table. He grumpily made his way to the table and sat down. Percy had gotten up and gotten a bowl of soup for the boy when he saw them. Sokka groggily thanked the man.
"You guys have a really hard time being quiet you know that?" Sokka muttered.
Toph, Katara, and Aang both broke out in laughter at Sokka and Percy chuckled at the younger boy's words.
"You all are welcome to stay here and recover for as long as you like" Percy said, catching the group's attention "You seem like good kids."
"That's very kind of you sir but…" Katara began but she was cut off by Aang.
"We can't waste any time" Aang said, his peaceful nature turning into one of seriousness "We have to find my bison and make it to the Earth Kingdom."
Percy mused over this before he spoke, "If you're looking for a sky bison, I believe I saw one earlier."
This instantly caught everyone's attention. Sokka looked up from his stew, Katara looked hopeful, Toph relieved, and a huge smile filled Aang's face.
"What where is he?!" Aang asked "Is he here?"
"Unfortunately no" Percy answered.
The group's hope sank at that. Aang was clearly upset and the rest of the group looked downtrodden at the news. However, Katara was quick to lift everyone's spirits.
"Do you know what direction he flew away in?" Katara asked.
"Hmm" Percy said as he thought to himself "If my memory serves me correctly, he flew in the direction of Ba Sing Se. It seems fate has been kind to you this day."
With that, the young teenagers faces filled with hope. They had a chance at finding Appa and that's all that mattered now.
"We have to get going now then!" Aang said as he jumped up from the table "We might still be able to catch up to Appa."
However, nobody at the table moved. Sokka and Katara eyed one another and Toph sat there quietly.
"Aang this is Appa we're talking about" Katara said gently "There's no way we'd be able to catch up with him tonight. Besides we need our rest."
With that, Aang slumped back down into his chair.
"You guys are right" Aang said quietly "We need to be at our full strength if we're going to catch Appa."
At that moment, Sokka let out a yawn. "I don't know about guys, but I feel like I could sleep for another full day. I'm gonna get some rest and then we can head out for Ba Sing Se in the morning."
The group muttered their agreement. Sokka went back to his spot on the floor and Katara and Toph moved back toward the bed they were on earlier. However, Aang still sat on the bench.
"Do not worry." Percy said to Aang, doing his best comfort him "Your bison is smart. He will be safe in Ba Sing Se. Now sleep. You are my guests and I will keep watch."
Aang gave the man a small smile and nodded his head. He made his way back toward his spot on the floor. He quickly and quietly layed down and closed his eyes until the sweet bliss of sleep washed over him.
Aang awoke early the next morning. He had been eager to get a start on heading to Ba Sing Se and searching for Appa. When he woke it was still dark out and he knew his friends wouldn't appreciate waking so early. So Aang did what any kid would do, he began to look around.
Percy's home was small, that much Aang could gather. However, what it lacked in size it made up in character. There were several pieces of pottery in his home and inscribed on the pottery was a language he didn't understand.
After inspecting the artwork closely, Aang decided to take a look upstairs. He quietly climbed the ladder and made his way up, careful not to make a sound. When Aang reached the top, he peered his head over the ledge just so that he could see was going on. What he found was Percy packing up a few bags for the group. The bags were full of supplies and Percy had put the finishing touches on the last bag.
Percy glanced over toward the ladder and Aang quickly tucked his head down, hoping that the he didn't notice him.
"It's alright Aang, you can come up here." Percy called out.
Aang let out a huff at the fact he had been caught and climbed up the ladder. He made his way onto the top floor and sat down cross legged to where Percy motioned. The elder man leaned the last bag against the side of the wall next to the three others. Meanwhile, Aang observed the top floor. There wasn't much up here besides a wooden chair, footrest, and a large chest on the other side of the room. What was inside, Aang could only guess.
"I sense strife in you" Percy said as he sat in front of Aang "What's on your mind?"
Aang let out a deep breath and spoke what was on his mind. His fear of the Fire Nation, his nervousness about making it to Ba Sing Se, and most importantly, finding Appa.
Percy had been a good listener. He listened as Aang spoke and he offered advice whenever he finished talking about a fear of his. It was at the end of Percy comforting Aang's fears that the man said something that was truly surprising.
"As the Avatar, I'm sure this can't be easy for you." Percy said nonchalantly.
"How did you know I was the Avatar?" Aang asked defensively as he sprung to his feet.
Percy let out a laugh "Relax boy. I mean you no harm. I knew you were the Avatar the minute I picked you up in the desert. It's not everyday you come across a boy with traditional airbending tattoos and attire."
With that explanation Aang sat down gently "Sorry about that. I've been a little on edge as of lately."
"Understandably so" Percy said.
Percy then rummaged through one of the pockets in his pants and pulled out a crumpled piece of paper. He uncrumpled it and stuck it out for Aang to grab. He grabbed it and it was a well done picture of Aang and at the top of the paper it said WANTED in bold.
"The Fire Nation has also been putting those out all over the place." Percy said amused.
With that, Percy and Aang began to chuckle. The pair weren't sure why, after all, being a wanted man was something neither wanted.
After a few moments, the pair's laughter began to die down until they quiet again. Percy was the first to break the silence.
"You know Aang, I understand what it's like for you… in a strange way." Percy said.
Aang's interest was now peaked. He refocused and gave his full attention to Percy.
"I understand what it's like to have the fate of the world rest on your shoulders' Percy stated "I wasn't as young as you but I understand it. If you stick with your friends, I promise you that you'll turn out okay."
Aang was about to question Percy further, but a banging noise was heard on the front door. Percy and Aang were quick on their feet and below them, Sokka, Toph, and Katara were quickly awakened.
"Come on out!" the voice yelled outside "There's no use in hiding them anymore!"
"Who is that !?" Aang whispered to Percy.
"I do not know" Percy quickly replied.
Percy then stealthily made his way to the front of the building and peered down through a crack in the upstairs wall.
"It's the Fire Nation" Percy said through grit teeth.
Percy quickly made his way past Aang and over to the chest that was up there with them. Percy opened it and paused for a second as he looked at it's content. He quickly snapped out of it though and took his belongings out.
The first thing Percy placed on was a layered, collared, black vest. After that, he slipped a large wrist bracer over his right wrist. Finally, the last object he took out of the the chest was a large weapon, a battle axe. On one side was an axe blade, and on the other was has hammer. Percy stared at it for a second before placing it in the small holster on his back.
With that, Percy made his way over to the edge of the upstairs and dropped down, not bothering to use the ladder. Aang quickly followed behind him in dropping down. Percy quickly gathered Aang, Katara, Toph, and Sokka.
"The Fire Nation is here." Percy said quickly and quietly "I'm going to try and send them away. Stay quiet and out of sight."
"And if that fails?" Katara asked.
Percy was quiet for a few seconds, "Then ready yourselves for a fight."
The group nodded their heads and quickly moved to the front of them room and away from the doorway. Percy readied himself and opened his front door. Meanwhile, the rest of the teenagers peered through the holes in the wood plank walls, trying to get a view of what was happening.
Once he was outside, Percy was now face to face with a Fire Nation commander. Behind him was a squad of Firebenders, most standing in line while two sat on their Komodo Rhino's.
Percy took a few steps forward until he was near the commander. Percy towered over him by a few inches and stared down him down.
"What do you want?" Percy said curtly.
"You're definitely the one" the commander said out loud "A group of Sandbenders reported to us that a large man was now in possession of the Avatar. If you tell us where he is, we will be merciful."
Inside Percy's home, the group's breath hitched. Would Percy give them up?
"What you're seeking isn't here" Percy said as he began to turn away from the commander and walk back into his home "You should move on."
The commander let out a laugh "There is no use in lying to us. We know they're here. Give them to us. Now."
Percy then slowly turned around and was now towering over the man "You do not want this fight."
The commander let out an evil cackle and moved his hand up to stroke his beard, "Oh I'm pretty sure I do."
With that, the commander used the hand he was stroking his beard with to backhand Percy across the face. However, the slap was only enough to turn his head slightly.
Inside the house, Sokka tried to move to run to Percy's aid but Katara held him back.
Percy turned back to face the commander who overstepped his place.
"Leave. My. Home." Percy said, the anger clearly evident in his voice.
"You're going to have to kill all of us for that to happen" the commander challenged.
With that the commander launched another a flaming fist into the side of Percy's face, burning the side of his cheek. This was followed by two flaming uppercuts which Percy absorbed without as much as moving. The commander then went for a right hook, but Percy caught it in his hand. He then began to twist the man's arm to the side, causing the man to groan with how uncomfortable the feeling was.
"I warned you…" Percy said angrily.
The commander's eyes filled with fear as the burn mark on Percy's face slowly started to heal itself. Percy then cocked his free hand back and launched a devastating blow straight into the face of the man.
The blow shocked everyone who was watching. The man went flying backwards and when his body hit the ground it continued to roll at an awkward angle until he came to a stop.
The commander stood up, clutching his broken nose that was now seeping blood "What are you waiting for?! Get him!"
One of the riders of a Komodo Rhino charged forward with a spear in Percy's direction. Percy charged forward to meet it and at the last second, the wrist bracer on his arm expanded into a bronze shield. Percy batted away the spear and using his free hand, he grabbed his axe from his back and swung it into the throat of the rhino, stopping it in its tracks. The sharp stop threw the rider from his seat and it launched him into the side of Percy's home, where he came to a stop with a sickening crunch.
Percy dislodged his axe from the throat of the rhino and threw it toward the rider of the other rhino. The axe went spiraling end over end until the blade sank into the chest of a rider, the force launching him off of his steed.
Before Percy could retrieve his axe, the rest of the Fire Nation troops who were not on the Komodo Rhinos launched a torrent of flames toward the man who had struck down two of their comrades. Percy quickly raised his shield in front of him and he began to block the flame.
Knowing he wouldn't be able to take the heat for long, Percy let out a roar and he felt the familiar tug in his gut. An explosion of water appeared underneath the soldiers feet, launching the men into the air with screams.
Percy rose up from behind his shield and opened his free palm up. In a few seconds, Percy's axe came flying through the air back toward him until he grabbed it from the air. Percy then felt the sting of flame as fire burned across his back. He quickly turned around to see the commander shooting flames at him.
Percy quickly rushed the commander and batted the man's arm down with his shield. The commander stumbled backwards with shock. He fell to the ground and tried his best to get away from the raging man in front of him. Percy raised his axe to commit the final blow, but a voice called out.
"Wait stop!" Aang said as he burst forth from his hiding spot in Percy's home.
The rest of the group quickly followed behind the Avatar until they were standing a few feet behind him.
"Killing isn't the answer" Aang said as he moved toward Percy "let him go."
"Why?" Percy questioned "If we let him go he will report back to his commanders that we were here and they'll be back in greater number."
"Then so be it" Aang said calming down his new friend "It's better than to have to live with the killing."
Percy kept his axe arm raised in the air above the commander who was now cowering on the ground. With a huff of breath, Percy lowered the axe and placed it back onto his back. He then turned his attention down toward the commander.
"If you tell a single soul about us, I promise you that you will not be lucky enough to receive the Avatar's mercy a second time."
The commander quickly nodded his head and moved himself away from the man in front of him. He ran toward the Komodo Rhino that had been unlucky enough to lose it's rider. He quickly boarded the beast of burden and took off away from the man who had taken out his entire squad with ease.
Percy and the group of teenagers watched as the Komodo Rhino kicked up dust until eventually it was out of sight. Percy turned back toward the group and gave them a nod. He was met with a mixed reaction though.
Toph and Sokka looked absolutely starstruck with the performance that Percy had put on. They had just watched a single man go toe to toe with a bunch of firebenders and come out on top. Katara and Aang were a little bit more troubled. They were obviously not too thrilled with the killing yet they were pleased that Percy had shown restrain.
However, before any of them could say anything. Percy began to speak.
"Hurry. We need to leave before they come back in greater number" Percy said as he made his way back toward the house.
The Gaang were on his heels.
"Wait we?" Sokka asked "I know what you did back there was totally awesome, but we never invited you on to Team Avatar."
Percy climbed up the ladder that was in his house and began to toss down the bags of supplies he had prepared for the group.
"You gave me my invitation when I fought off those Firebenders for you. And besides, the Avatar is going to need all the help he can get when it comes to taking down the Fire Lord."
The group shared a look. Sokka shrugged his shoulders, Katara looked a little worried, Aang looked nervous at just the mention of the Firelord, and Toph remained indifferent, probably because she couldn't see them sharing a look.
Percy finally dropped down from upstairs and let out a whistle. A blur of white followed from up above and a white lemur landed on Aang's shoulder.
"Momo! I missed you buddy!" Aang said with glee.
Percy chuckled, "He was upstairs sleeping. He was as tired as everyone else after your desert adventure."
Team Avatar let out a laugh, but Percy's face turned serious again.
"We need to move." Percy said.
The Gaang quickly filed their way out of Percy's home and Percy pointed them in the direction of Ba Sing Se. As the group made their way up the hill near Percy's home, he took one last look back toward the place where he had spent the last two years in solitude.
After a few seconds of lingering, Percy turned and began to walk alongside the group that was waiting for him. Once he caught up with them, the group took of in the direction of Ba Sing Se.
...And scene. Well everyone, that's the first chapter of A Forgotten Spirit. I hope you all enjoyed it because I had a great time writing it.
1) Okay so there was no part of this fanfic where it explained how Percy got to the Avatar world. For now, you're just going to have to wait and see about that. A good writer never reveals any of his tricks too early.
2) Percy is a little bit out of character in this story. But that's okay! Percy has spent the past two years in solitude living the life of a farmer. He has been reflecting on his life and the events that have occurred in it. And I'm not telling you yet, but it's some pretty heavy stuff. Percy has an uptight and serious nature and right now, he's skeptical of most people. However, he has become very good at reading people. What their intentions are and if they have it out for him. However, this doesn't mean we won't see the old Percy resurface. The child like innocence of the Gaang will help bring the Percy Rick Riordan made us fall in love with.
3) Percy has new weapons. For those of you who love Riptide, it won't be making an appearance yet. I have plans for it in the future, but now, Percy is sticking with his trusty battle hammer axe that was gifted to him by an immortal friend. For the representation of this axe, look no further than Strombreak from Avenger's Infinity War.
4)As some of you guys will more than likely notice, this chapter was heavily inspired by the fight between Kratos and Baldur from God of War4. After watching that fight, it gave me the inspiration to write this story. Don't worry though, future content will steer clear of using GoW4 content and will have fresh new ideas. Again let me repeat that. It will have new and fresh ideas. It won't be a rip off of GoW4. I was merely blown away by the fight scene and thought it would be awesome to change it around a bit to include Percy, the Gaang, and the Fire Nation. And don't worry, Percy won't call Aang and Sokka "boy" the whole story either LMAO.
5) Percy's armor top: Percy's armor is basically just Thor's black armor from Avenger's Infinity War minus the cape and sleeves.
6) This story is currently rated T but it might change to M. Some of the scenes I have planned are a bit more violent now that Percy is fighting with an axe, but of course it could go either way.
7)Ships! I'm not planning on shipping Percy in the first part of this story with anyone. In this, I have Percy at 18 years old and he's too old for any of the girls in this story by a good four years. However, this might change when I have Percy in the Legend of Korra. They're more his age but I'm unsure who to ship him with. I'm a huge fan of Korrasmai and idk if I can break it up but we'll see. After all, it's just fanfiction.
8) Future Chapter Length will probably be between 5,000-12,000 words normally. All depends on my drive to write and my busy college schedule.
Alright guys well that seems to be about it. Please favorite, follow, and review if you enjoyed it. Your reviews give me motivation to write so please do that!
This is son44 signing off. Until next time folks, and happy reading.