Disclaimer: I don't own Percy Jackson.

The Disgraced Hero

Chapter Four – Coming Down

Shit. Fuck. Shit.

That and many, many other profanities were the only thing going through Percy's mind as he plummeted to the personification of hell on earth. Or under the earth. Whatever.

He never once thought he'd go back there after fighting his way through the last time. And he wasn't just going to Tartarus. He actually jumped in. Well, that was much more dignified than being shot down by Zeus's master bolt. And a Hades of a lot less painful.

He was angry. Angry at the gods. Angry at the campers. Angry at the fates. Angry at the world.

But at the same time he was happy. Happy that he had friends that stuck up for him. Happy that said friends did everything they could to make sure he would survive.

Suddenly Percy stopped. He just stopped dead in midair. His head swiveled in all directions as he managed to right himself in the air and he noticed that he wasn't in the same dark tunnel as he was just seconds before. Instead he was floating in midair with nothing but black around him.

Suddenly a man materialized right in front of him. He wore a stylish, black suit, a black shirt, and a white tie. His skin was incredibly pale. The man's hair was cut short and was just as black as his eyes. Yep, that's right, his eyes were completely black. Like no difference between pupil, iris and sclera. Just black.

"Perseus Jackson." Said the man in a perfectly apathetic voice that made Nico's Goth-moments look like he was a bubbly Aphrodite kid.

"Uh, yeah?" He asked.

"You have done many great things and have many great things left to do."The man said.

"Um, okay. That's fairly cryptic." Percy said. "But, in case you didn't notice, I was kind of in the middle of falling to Tartarus."

"Yes, I know."

"Okay . . . why did you stop me and transport me away? And how did you do that? What do you want with me? Who are you?"

"Relax, son of Poseidon, I mean you no harm."

"Right. You'll hopefully forgive me for not believing you right away. In my experience, more powerful beings don't interrupt a person's fall to hell unless they want something."

"I wish to aid you in your journey through my son's pit."

"Oh. Okay, thanks. Why, though? And did you say son?"

"Yes, I said son. I am Chaos, the creator of all, father to the Primordials."

Percy was completely speechless after that statement. How are you supposed to react when an omnipotent being – the first being – approaches you and offers help in your little trip to Tartarus? Especially when that being is the father of the primordial goddess you helped put back to sleep only a year earlier (after being the one who actually woke her up, but that's a minor detail).

"Um, it's, uh, it's an honor to meet you, I guess."

"So as you now know, I am Chaos. I have been watching you your entire life and your achievements are very impressive."

Wow, that guy brings the term creepy stalker to a whole new level. Percy thought.

"You, Perseus," Chaos continued. "Are the greatest hero to walk the earth. You have had a difficult life and it will only get more so as you move forward. You do not deserve the fate that has befallen you."

"I don't think I'm the greatest hero ever." Percy muttered.

"Such modesty. Well enough about that. You know of the rising threat."

"Yeah, the plunging into darkness and burning with light thing?"

"Yes, that dracaena was rather theatrical, I must say."

"Who is it really. I mean, she said that they will come, so it's more than one guy or girl up top, right?"

"Indeed. When Gaea awoke, it sent a ripple through the forces of the world. Two Primordials are waking up as we speak."

"Are you serious?! Two?!"

"Yes, two. My son, Erebus, and his own son, Aether, are waking and will stop at nothing until the earth is theirs again. Their wives are already awake but they will not fight in this war. If they win, however, the other Primordials will awaken and the universe will be theirs."

"Erebus and Aether? The Primordials of darkness and light. Now that dracaena is starting to make a little more sense." Percy said thoughtfully before turning slightly angry. "But I don't see why you're telling me this. I was sentenced to Tartarus and I can't help anyone. Not that I'd want to anyway.

"We both know that is not true, Perseus."Percy glared defiantly at the creator of the universe until he sighed.

"You're right. I would help if I could. But I can't do that. Unless you're here to bail me out?" Percy suggested hopefully.

"No. I cannot do that. I am heavily restricted by my ancient laws and, technically, just being here is a violation of them."Percy sighed, having expected that.

"Well, you said you were going to help me. How are you going to do that?" He asked.

"My son has agreed to let you traverse the pit. He will not harm you."

"Really? Great."

"That is not all. I also have one more gift."

"Of course you do. Alright, shoot."

"I will make you my champion." If Percy had been drinking something, he definitely would have done a spit-take.

"What?" He asked.

"I will make you my champion." Chaos repeated.

"I don't have a say in this?"

"I have already decided."

"Alright, fine." Percy said, not seeing the point of arguing with a being so much more powerful than him that saying that he was like a drop of water while Chaos was every single body of water on the earth would be exaggerating Percy's power by so much it was almost ridiculous. "What would that mean, anyway?" Percy asked.

"I would give you my blessing. Or a blessing, at least. You would get more power to help you in Tartarus and perhaps the coming war. You would not be affected by any change in the atmosphere."

"So . . . I could breathe in space?"

"Yes."

"Um, wow. That's awesome. I mean, uh, yeah. Yeah, I would be honored to be your champion."

Chaos didn't answer but Percy suddenly felt a rush of energy and his strained breathing turned normal. He didn't know it yet but his white sclera turned pitch black.

"Woah." He said. "What power did I get? Or did you just increase the ones I already have?"

"Your powers have all increased but I also gave you a different power. But as for what it is . . . I cannot say."Chaos told him. Percy frowned.

"Why?" He asked.

"That is something you must find out on your own. And I believe it won't take you long."

"Alright. Well, thank you." Chaos only nodded, he was definitely not one for pointless conversation. Percy smiled slightly before thinking of something.

"Hey Chaos?"

"Yes, Perseus?"

"Could I maybe, instead of being a champion of Chaos, be an agent of Chaos. That sounds seriously badass."

"If you wish."The creator acquiesced.

„Sweet." Percy said, smiling.

"My time is at an end. I will let you resume your falling now. But beware, your time in my son's pit will be anything but pleasant."

With that Percy started falling again. He wasn't expecting such a sudden sendoff so he tumbled around in the air until he managed to right himself and muttered under his breath about stupid creators and damn pits and whatnot.

After falling for a very, very long time, Percy saw the opening. He fell down into the large cavern and saw immediately that this wasn't the same place he fell down last time and there was no river this time. Meaning, he was about to fall to his death.

"Come on Percy, think." He said to himself before it struck him. "The blessings!" After quickly running through his powers in his head, he found the right one.

Focusing on Hestia's blessing, fire started forming in his hands. He put them down to his sides and increased the intensity. He started slowing down but it wasn't enough. Suddenly, fire shot out of the soles on his feet. As he started to control his descent, Percy was sure he looked like a badass demigod version of Iron Man.

He came to a halt a few inches above the ground and stopped the output of fire. The sudden lack of resistance coupled with the loss of energy after exhausting his untrained fire powers caused him to tumble to the ground and land in an undignified heap. Percy let out a groan of pain as he rolled over on his back.

He slowly stood up and saw that Tartarus hadn't become any more hospitable since he was there last but at least he seemed to be able to breathe the air without it killing him.

Percy looked himself over and saw that all of his clothes were in perfect condition. "They were given to me by Hestia and blessed by Aphrodite so it makes sense that they'd be fireproof."He said absentmindedly to himself.

Well, this is fantastic Percy thought sarcastically, looking over the pit as he started to search for a place he could rest. After around ten minutes of walking extra slowly he found a small cave. "This'll have to do for now." He said. Percy walked in and, after making sure nothing else was in the cave, he lay down as far in as he could and immediately fell asleep.

Percy woke to some voices outside his small cave, something he had never done before. He always slept like a log. Must be Hermes's blessing. Percy thought offhandedly.

"I swear, it's here, milord." Said a female voice, obviously scared out of her mind.

"Well, I don't see anything." Said another voice, this time male. It sounded vaguely familiar, though.

"He is here, I can sense the child." Now, that was a voice Percy recognized immediately. That deep, powerful voice that sounded like nails being drawn down a chalkboard and sent shivers down Percy's spine every time he heard it. But it was impossible; he wasn't supposed to reform for at least a few millennia.

With the blessing of Hermes it was no problem for Percy to sneak out of the cave and behind a rock where he could spring on his enemies. They were looking for him, that much was obvious, so he'd just show them where he was.

As the group of four walked past him, Percy whipped out Riptide and had taken out both of the empousai before they could realize that they were being attacked. When he swung his sword at the next opponent, they blocked easily.

"Perseus Jackson. As annoying as always I see." Kronos said.

"It's time for a rematch, demigod." Hyperion stated.

"So, what do you say, a one-on-one between you guys and the winner takes on me?" Percy asked. Kronos laughed his creepy nails-on-chalkboard laugh and said,

"No, Perseus, I believe it will be much better if we just defeat you now."

"Well, it was worth a shot." Percy said shrugging as he raised Riptide. He was seriously tired and knew he had no chance of succeeding in a fight with two Titans but he decided to give it a try anyway.

He surged forward and caught both himself and the titans off guard with his speed but shook it off and slashed his sword at Hyperion's side, drawing a shallow gash. The titan recoiled and raised his own sword. By then, Kronos had also drawn his scythe. The three circled each other slowly. Percy used the time to study his opponents.

Hyperion looked pretty much the same as the last time he saw him. He was a tall and muscular man wearing golden armor that was hard to look at. Although it did seem a bit dimmer in the horrible atmosphere of Tartarus. His eyes were a bright gold that glowed with an intense light. He wasn't wearing a helmet and his hair looked like it was alight with a golden fire.

It was Kronos, though, who caught Percy's attention. Never having seen him in his normal form before, Percy was curious to say the least. Kronos was almost as tall as Hyperion but leaner. His hair was black and stylishly combed backwards. He was a handsome man, that much was easy to see, but what kind of ruined that for him was the multitude of scars running all across his face, similar to the ones on Prometheus's face but much deeper.

Then again, he was cut up into a thousand pieces. It'd be strange not to have scars. Percy supposed.

"Your eyes. And your aura. Why are they different?" Kronos demanded.

"Do you like it? I changed it just for you." Percy mocked.

Before Kronos could retort, Hyperion lost his patience and he ran forward and stabbed his sword at Percy who parried skillfully and turned only to be slammed in the head by the butt of Kronos's scythe. Percy tumbled to the ground and rolled away, narrowly avoiding being skewered by the Titan of the east.

Percy jumped up and stepped down hard, creating a small earthquake that sent both Titans to the ground. He then leaped at Kronos and aimed a stab to his neck. Unfortunately he moved a little but still got a sword through the shoulder.

The Titan of time roared in outrage and pain and then lived up to his name as he sent Percy flying through the air and stopped him in time. Percy could only watch as the Titans picked themselves up of the ground and walked to him as he tried in vain to break from the time spell.

Percy noticed that Kronos's forehead was beaded with sweat, like freezing time around one person was straining him. He must be pretty weak. He thought. Percy fought Kronos's control and finally managed to break out. The moment he did, however, he was blasted back by a wave of fire from Hyperion.

"No! You idiot! I needed him alive!" Kronos yelled at Hyperion.

"I'm sorry, Lord Kronos. I did not expect him to break free." Hyperion said. Before they could debate any further another wave of fire pushed them back.

When the fire receded, Percy Jackson stood several feet in front of them, a thin layer of soot on his face and clothes but otherwise he was unhurt from Hyperion's attack. The strangest thing, though, was the ball of fire he held in his right hand.

"I learned a few tricks while you were gone." He said with a taunting smirk on his face. The Titans still stared in shock as Percy turned off the fire and pulled out Riptide again.

The Titans both came at him and Percy pulled out his Celestial bronze knife in his left hand and unexpectedly threw the combat knife at Kronos with pinpoint accuracy.

The Titan Lord's expression was one of disbelief until it became one of pain as he screamed with the knife embedded deep in his already wounded shoulder.

"You will burn for this, Jackson!" Hyperion bellowed. Before Percy could correct him and let him know that he actually couldn't burn Hyperion's body became brighter and brighter until he shot a beam of light into Percy's chest.

He may not have been able to burn with fire but light seemed to be a different matter altogether, although, Percy's everything-proof clothes stopped it from being a severe injury.

Percy was blasted off his feet and into the large rock he had hidden behind earlier and he swore he could hear at least two of his ribs breaking. He got to his feet as quickly as he could and for the first time in his life, shot a concentrated blast of water out of his palm.

The blast hit Hyperion straight in the face and his light turned off. Percy ran forward and was about to finish him off when he felt a blinding pain in his right shoulder. When he looked down he saw the point of Kronos's scythe sticking out the front of his shoulder. Percy fell to his knees and only heard one last thing as his vision started to darken.

"At last, son of Poseidon, you are mine."

He felt the scythe being ripped from his shoulder before something connected hard with his skull and the darkness finally overcame him.

A/N: Aaand the fourth chapter ends with the ever loved cliffhanger. What is Kronos planning? What will happen to Percy? Find out more in the next chapter!

So, okay, yes. An official confirmation of the cliché of Erebus being the villain – or one of the villains – and Percy being buddy-buddy with Chaos buuuuut I have a plan to change things up so please don't give up on me yet!

Review, follow, favorite, whatever, please and thank you.

'Till next time.

-Manimal