AN: So I had an idea for a slightly different Pertemis story as it is my favorite pairing. I know many of you will dismiss this as "just another typical Guardian story" but try to understand that it's difficult to come up with an original idea for a pairing that cannot be cannon, ever. That said, please review, let me know what you think and how I can improve. I promise to read and try to take on board all of your collective advice and opinions. Enjoy!
(3rd Person POV: Poseidon Cabin)
Broken.
Percy Jackson, the hero of two wars, Saviour of Olympus, Bane of Gaea and Kronos, Son of Poseidon/Neptune and Sally Jackson, slayer of the Minotaur, the demigod who had endured Tartarus, having his memory wiped and placed in the Roman camp, losing countless friends, was broken.
And it happened over the space of less than a month.
FLASHBACK: (still 3rd person)
Percy pulled Riptide from the chest of Gaea's manifestation, a shocked look on its face as it crumbled into dirt. He wiped the sweat from his weary brow as he turned to see the remaining monster army follow suit, relieving demigods and gods alike of their fights. Yet as he began to revel in the victory, his smile was wiped off his face as he saw the bodies of hundreds of demigods strewn across the battlefield, each and every one seemingly adding a ton to his conscience. A wave of sadness washed over him as he began to experience the same sense of loss he felt after the Second Titan War. Although he recognized very few of the faces of the fallen, he still felt as though they were his responsibility, and respectively felt the same loss one feels when a family member passes away. No comforting hand lay on the now two-time Saviour of Olympus' shoulder as everyone mourned over their losses, most notable Artemis over her fallen hunters.
And this is where the disintegration of Perseus Achilles Jackson began.
TIME SKIP: 2 HOURS LATER IN THE THRONE ROOM (Still 3rd person)
As the demigods filed into the throne room, shuffling among mild protests, Zeus cleared his throat.
"Ahem," he began, silencing the room, "we are gathered today to reward those who served us in the war, and to honour those who fell in our service. First, the Seven spoken of in the prophecy."
At this, Hazel, Frank, Jason, Piper, Percy, Annabeth and Leo stepped forward. One by one, they were all given godhood and awarded the status of heirs to their respective parents, until only Annabeth and Percy were left.
"Annabeth Chase," boomed Zeus, "For your contribution to the continued survival of us all, we, the Olympian Council, offer you the title of the minor Goddess of Intelligence, Strategy, Planning, Architecture, Foresight and the Heir to Athena. Do you accept?"
To the shock of many, and the horror of Percy, Annabeth unflinchingly accepted, without so much as a glance at Percy. He fought to contain the tears in his eyes as she glowed, power being instilled into her as she became a Goddess. Looking sympathetically at Percy, Athena spoke up.
"My daughter, what of Perseus? Surely you would not be so unwise as to give up a future with the closest thing to a perfect man?" Taken aback by the glowing praise from his father's rival, Percy bowed and silently thanked Athena, who merely nodded. Annabeth looked shocked that her own mother would call her unwise, but quickly collected herself.
"While I thought that I wanted him, I was wrong and foolish to believe so. Pursuing a future as a demigod with him, while enticing, is unwise and I would be better suited to applying my abilities where they can be of benefit." While nobody spoke, almost every God (bar Ares, Dionysus and Zeus) looked sympathetically at the son of Poseidon, none more so than Aphrodite, who sensed the immense pain in the young hero's heart. Steeling himself, he stepped forward as his name was called.
"Perseus Jackson, as Olympus now owes itself to you twice, we offer you the titles of the minor God of tides, loyalty, swordsmanship, combat, animals and Guardian of Olympus. Do you accept?" At this, the Olympians leaned forward eagerly. Artemis however, remained relaxed in her throne. No man could resist such power, especially when added to the immense pain he would be feeling after Annabeth's betrayal. Although she felt sympathy for the hero, she was almost certain that he would accept, and nearly fell out of her throne when a voice layered with so much pain and defeat reverberated around the room.
"No," was the reply for the second time. Sighing Zeus slumped in his throne.
"Very well demigod," he said resignedly, "What reward would you prefer?" Without hesitation, Percy replied,
"I would like Hestia and Hades to be returned to the Olympian Council, and for the two camps to be unified."
"Very well," came the reply, "You shall be granted your request. As we come to the end of the ceremony, I would advise you all to return to your camps and proceed with your respective mournings and celebrations. Further rewards for heroes will be dealt out over the coming weeks. Until further notice, this council is officially dismissed." Snapping his fingers, the God of the Skies teleported out, followed by several other flashes. Sighing, Percy walked out of the throne room and made his way back to camp alone, dejected.
Time Skip: 2 weeks later, Poseidon Cabin (Still 3rd person)
Percy stared at the wall blankly, it had been almost an hour since he was unable to form any more tears. Pain was all he felt, an overwhelming sense of pain. Ever since that day, he barely left his cabin, rarely ate, and almost never spoke a word to anyone. Many people had simply forgotten about him, all but a few of his friends, who were busy wrapped up in their own celebrations, too busy telling stories and joking around to notice their friends pain. He slowly rose to his feet, determination filling his weak body as he stuffed a bag with clothes. Shoving Riptide into his pocket, he made his way out of camp, keeping his bloodshot eyes firmly on the ground. As he crossed the border, he looked back one final time and whispered a faint, "Goodbye."
Time Skip: 3 days later (It's almost as if I killed the first and second, because it's still 3rd person)
Percy watched from the roof of a nearby building as his mother and step father gazed adoringly into the eyes of their newborn. He knew he would only be a danger to him or her, so he kept his distance, promising that this would be the last time he saw them, for everyone's sake. As a tear leaked from his eye, he didn't bother brushing it away, it was a regular occurrence now. Without a noise, he stood up and bounded across the rooftops before swiftly leaping off and landing silently in the branches of a tree. Dropping to the ground, he realized that he was in Central Park, and strode determinedly deeper, preparing himself for life alone.
END FLASHBACK
That all seemed so long ago. Oh how he wished he could return to his little camp by the river, away from anyone who might hurt him, but the chains circling his wrists and ankles prevented any such thing. Coughing weakly, he tried in vain for the hundredth time to summon some water to rejuvenate himself, but only succeeded in further coughin up even more blood to add to the pool that had began to form at his feet. How long had he been here? Gods knew, but he suddenly wished it would end one way or another. As if on cue, a man appeared in a flash of light and grinned sadistically at him.
"Why hello Perseus. My, how the mighty fall. Seems like only yesterday that you were running around with your little friends," this caused a stabbing sensation to erupt in Percy's chest, "being a thorn in my side. Oh how times change." The man laughed maniacally and, pulling a sword from seemingly nowhere, stabbed Percy's side, inducing a pained yell as blood poured from the ruptured skin. Grinning the man pulled the sword out, and began to wipe it with the sleeves of his black cloak. "Don't worry young demigod," at this, his burning golden eyes gleamed, "We have a lot of time left together."
AN: That's it for the first chapter. I wanted this to clear up the backstory and hint at what is to come for potential future chapters, if you guys like it of course. Leave a review and let me know what you think, but until next time, take care.
MaverickHunter18
