Disclaimer - Perhaps I should give writing the Percy Jackson series a go and publish it, though I'd rather not get fined and punished by law for stealing Riordan's work; that'd be a hassle, really, and I'm not in the mood to deal with that :)
I got bored with the usual "All recognizable characters are Rick Riordan's" lol
Question for yall: how's my pacing? Do you think I've been dedicating too many chapters to Percy's training? Is it enjoyable or is it getting boring? Let me know through reviews or PMs please if you may :)
And also, regarding Percabeth (cough, Multi fandom geekerello, cough), I'm definitely a bit...hesitant with how to go about it, buuuut, shoutout to Multi fandom geekerello, I've got some advice on how I can figure that out thanks to them (also check out their writing, it's pretty legit stuff)! So no worries, it'll come, and the reunion as well :) Just...verrrrry slowly (Percabeth I mean, not the reunion; reunion should be like this chapte- *cough* was that a spoilerrrrr? nawwww)
SORRY for the lateness, but your reviews are so supportive and thank y'all for that T^T Anyway:
Enjoy!
(WARNING: some sensitive topics might be discussed, so keep a look out for an A/N that notes about it)
Chapter Sixteen - Back Again
The next morning was another 5 AM wake up, though this time, Percy was more compliant than he'd ever thought he would be in the morning, and this time Apollo played a lyre. Percy wasn't surprised how many Intents Apollo had at that point.
Unsurprisingly the sunrise was as beautiful or better than the one before and the crisp morning air added to the experience.
It was refreshing.
The day had started off similarly to the previous, with a few workouts before breakfast and after that Summoning Blackjack, though as time went on Blackjack complained that he didn't like being Summoned and Released constantly so Percy had to switch to Summoning Riptide instead (to which Blackjack still complained about because he would be stuck in Percy rather than out).
Percy flicked his finger, almost like flicking off the cap of... a pen or something, and his blood flooded with energy, but this time, the twinge of pain in his arms were barely noticeable. He supposed that was thanks to the workouts. Riptide appeared at the Call designated for her.
Boss, can't you ask Apollo to just let me roam around while you Summon and Release sword lady over and over again?
"Blackjack," Percy said sighing as he Released Riptide again. Apollo said to repeat Summoning and Releasing quickly to practice the Calls and also get his Summoning Points used to the sudden bursts of energies. "Stop complaining, and - -" Percy paused.
Actually, what Blackjack asked didn't sound impossible. Percy glanced at Apollo who was observing a piece of grass as if it would give him all the answers to life.
Actually, it probably could, Percy thought raising an eyebrow before asking, "Apollo, is it possible for me to just let Blackjack hang out while I still work with Riptide on this?" Apollo looked up, plucking the piece of grass as he did so. He seemed to give thought to Percy's question as he stared at the grass in hand, but instead of answering, he brought the plant to his mouth, and blew, making a squeaky, and shrill noise.
"What the-"
"Hm, I suppose I can make an instrument out of this somehow," Apollo said as he observed the grass once more before shrugging and tossing it.
"What?" Percy asked bewildered before putting a hand out, "Actually, nevermind; I don't need to know." He then reiterated his question again. "Can I have Blackjack out while I practice with Riptide?"
Apollo stood from his spot on the ground, patting himself off as he crossed his arms over his chest, scrutinizing Percy, before saying, "Well, how are your arms?"
Percy flexed them a bit. "They hurt a bit, I guess, but it's barely noticeable." Apollo nodded to himself as he hummed. He pointed at Percy.
"Try Summoning Riptide for me," he said, Percy nodding in compliance, executing Riptide's Call (he flicked his finger), and in a blue flash of light, and another surge of power coursing through his arms, the ocean crashing through the dam, Riptide appeared in hand. Apollo had a look of satisfaction from Percy's performance and he asked, "Any fatigue at all? A bit drained?" Percy shook his head, to which Apollo prodded once more, "Absolutely none?"
Slightly confused, Percy said, "Well, if you mean whether or not I'm tired of your haikus, then the answer is a yes."
"You know you love them, cuz," Apollo said wriggling his eyebrows. Percy narrowed his eyes in a 'you sure about that?' way before Apollo looked thoughtful again. "Well, if you say no fatigue, then I suppose you can go ahead and keep Blackjack Summoned while you're practicing with Riptide." He made a ''go ahead'' gesture with his hand as he moved both hands to his back, back straight as if he were a general watching his army train. Percy internally rolled his eyes as Blackjack let out a shout of joy and excitement.
Finally, Blackjack said as Percy let go of Riptide, leaving her to float and pulse to the side. He Called and soon Blackjack was standing in front of him, whinnying and stomping his front hooves in delight. FREEDOM Blackjack chanted as he started prancing around in a circle, wings unfurling behind him and flapping gently as he started in a gallop away from Percy and further into the field, mane in the breeze flowing behind him.
Percy snorted as he watched the pegasus cross the entirety of the field within thirty seconds, to which he heard Blackjack say This is a small field.
Yeah, small field, but huge backyard. Besides, Percy wondered, he'd never let Blackjack out like this, to run free, so who was he to complain about being able to do it in a slightly smaller field?
Percy turned, not quickly, mind you, but even then, for some reason, black spots invaded his vision as he stumbled, and surprisingly, Apollo was there to catch him. Percy groaned as his knees buckled, causing him to lean completely into the man. Master, are you alright? Riptide asked.
"Woah there, kid," Apollo said as he sat Percy down on the grass as his vision cleared. Blackjack had come back it seemed, watching Percy with light eyes pulsing in what was probably concern.
"What happened?" Percy asked. It wasn't like his arms hurt or anything, none of him hurt, actually, but for a moment, Percy was really tired. Still was actually, as he squinted slightly.
Apollo sat across from him, rubbing his chin thoughtfully as Riptide bobbed next to Percy and Blackjack standing behind him, snout nudging his head slightly. "Looks like you let out too much Energy at once; I assumed it would be alright, because I figured your energy was pretty large, but I think I may have assumed wrong for once." Percy frowned as his brain tried to function against his tiredness.
"What does that mean?"
Apollo waved a hand, saying, "Before that, Release one of your Intents, or better, both." Percy nodded before holding his palms out and closing them, effectively Releasing Riptide, and then Blackjack. Percy felt the immediate effects. His back straightened and he 'wow'-ed to himself as he felt all the energy revitalize him.
"Woahh," he remarked. He looked at Apollo. "So, whenever I Summon, am I like, splitting my Spirit or something? Is that why I felt drained?"
"Correct to a point," Apollo replied, tapping his Summoning point to show Percy. "When you Summon, you feel that sudden coursing of energy flowing toward your palms, right?" Percy nodded. "That's you taking your energy and converting it to something substantial: your Intents.
"Thing is, every person has a certain Spirit energy reserve, or how much latent energy there is to be able to be substantialized. You're not splitting your Spirit, but you're devoting its energy to something else." Percy stared at Apollo blankly, so the man explained, "It's sort of like this: a river turning a turbine to create electricity. The river is your Spirit, the turbine, your Summoning Point, and the electricity, your Intent.
"When the water turns the turbine, the energy provided by the water's movement is converted to electricity, but the water is still water. Likewise, your Spirit is like the river, as it is its own thing, but it still provides energy, a light, if you will, that can be converted." Apollo paused, letting Percy take the information in, but before Apollo could say anything else if he was planning to, a thought entered Percy's mind.
"Wait, so, are some people just born with bigger rivers?" he asked. He looked at Apollo pointedly. "Isn't that unfair to those born with little ones?" Apollo laughed.
"No, no, I wouldn't like it if that were the case at all, Perce," he said shaking his head with a grin, hand cupping his chin. "That would be rather unfortunate for those who are born with smaller rivers. I would hope that though physical births might be unfair to unassuming babies, no such thing would ail the Spirits of babies as well. And of course that just flew over your head, so I'll answer your question-"
"Hey!" Percy protested, slightly offended. He did too understand what Apollo just said. He's seen kids in "special" classes back in middle school, where kids had sever disabilities, both mental and physical. He'd always felt bad for them (both in what they went through, and also the bad things people call them).
Apollo ignored Percy's outcry and explained. "Imagine this world had no such things as illnesses, deformities, mutations, dysfunctions, or other when babies are born. All babies are born with 'equal' so to say, standing, or equal initial health." Apollo had closed his eyes during the explanation, and he opened one to look at Percy. "Are you imagining?"
Percy harrumphed but nodded none the less. (A/N - warning applies now; it mentions things about abuse, but nothing explicit I don't think)
Apollo continued. "Now imagine two separate babies; one is born with neglectful parents, and one is born with the best kind." Percy felt himself stiffen a bit at that, thoughts flashing to Gabe. He wasn't really neglectful, but he did suck as a parent (not that Percy's ever seen him as one). His cousin went on, "Imagine the kind of life the baby who has been neglected for all his childhood lived through. Imagine what he looks like in his teenage years. Unhealthy? Most probably; unable to cook himself, unable to entertain himself, unable to buy anything for himself as a child, and yet his parents have neglected him, so he lacks in all those things.
"But most of all in love. That makes him even unhealthier, not just physically, but also mentally and socially.
"Now turn your attention to the one raised under the care of the best, kind, loving, caring and yet stern when necessary parents. As a child, he is given all the love and attention he needs, but not so much that he was spoiled. As he starts to understand things, his parents teach him well on the things that are right and wrong, and he is given sustenance when needed in all aspects of necessity and sometimes even wants.
"Imagine what he looks like in his teenage years. Strong, healthy, both in mind and body." Apollo opened his eye again. "You getting the picture?" Percy nodded, quiet and somber as the image of the neglected child reappears in his mind. He wondered if that was what he would've been like had he not had his mom. He imagined the healthy child next. Had his dad not been killed, would he have been as well off as him? Perfectly healthy in mind and body?
Percy realized that much more how amazing his mom was. Without her, he wouldn't have been who he was, been where he was at the moment. Thanks, mom, he thought, sending a silent thought - prayer? His mom was certainly goddess-like enough to deserve one - to his mom who was probably still dealing with Gabe in the apartment. And screw you, Gabe, he added as an after-thought.
"Now, imagine all this again, but imagine everything as Spirits," Apollo said interrupting Percy's thoughts. Percy scrunched his nose a bit at that. He tried, but the image didn't make much sense.
"Uh, come again?" he asked.
Apollo tutted, before elaborating, "When babies are born, their Spirits are all like those two boys: equal. Then, based on surrounding, how the person reacts, how the person acts, who surrounds them, what others do to them, all these things, interactions and ways of living either feed the Spirit to become like the healthy kid, or deprive it, like the one that lacked.
"Spirit energy reservoirs, or the size of that river, grows depending on your life," Apollo finished.
"Bruh, you should've just said that last sentence and I would've gotten it," Percy deadpanned. Apollo shook his head.
"Yes, you might've figured it out, but you need to understand and feel it, kid," Apollo reasoned. "Admit it, I made it something you felt like you could experience, right? Relate to? Understand personally?" Percy hesitated before relenting and nodding.
"I...guess so." He then continued, "But why's it so important that I, er, feel it?"
Apollo answered right away. "Because you can't just know something as a fact, you have to understand, and actually KNOW it with your whole self, not just your brain! Let's say your mom says she loves you. You know this as a fact, right? But unless she shows it and makes you experience her love, you won't understand it with your whole self, and rather than something profound, it's just meaningless words."
"But my mom does love me!" Percy protested. He narrowed his eyes. "And she doesn't need to prove it for me to know."
"Bah! Bad example," Apollo said shaking his head. He pointed his index finger up. "As a child, especially closer to toddler age, actions speak louder than words. Mom might say 'I love you sweety,'" Percy cringed at Apollo's imitation of a girl's voice, "but the kid is still going to demand all the attention possible, try to make the mom hug him back or play with him.
"You right now have already lived through sixteen years of your mom showing you her love, so of course you know it with your whole self, but it all starts with actions. Think about it; those neglectful parents might've told that kid that they love him, and others might've told the kid that, hey, parents love their children, but would that kid feel particularly loved if the parents did nothing for them their whole life? Would their concept of a parent be a loving one? No, not really," Apollo finished bitterly, surprising Percy a bit at the edge in the man's voice.
Apollo's eyes widened before he looked sheepish. "Ah, well, it seems I got carried away. Apologies on my part. Been a while since I've made a mistake like that." He cleared his throat before Percy could say anything on the matter. "Well, that's why you must understand things fully, rather than just knowing it as a string of letters. It should be more of an experience rather than just dictionary definitions." Apollo grinned, but Percy could tell it was strained, and that worried him because Apollo was always bright. (A/N - warning application ends here; sorry for the A/N's, just taking precautions :p)
Apollo chuckled a bit as Percy continued to stare at him quietly. "Well, cuz, I know I look good, but usually you look at good looking things with less of a constipated face and more of a dreamy one. Or jealous one." Percy gaped, moments before forgotten as he sputtered.
"Hey, I don't look constip-"
Yes you do, Blackjack snickered.
"Anyway, I hope I didn't just blabber all that for nothing," Apollo interrupted. "Do tell me you learned something?"
Percy huffed before nodding and summarizing, "Spirits are rivers, Spirit energy is the energy provided by river, Summoning point is turbine, and Intent is electricity. People are born with equal rivers, but depending on their lifestyles, the size of it might change." Percy paused, thinking before adding, "And actions speak louder than words. Experience rather than memorize. Er, I think."
Apollo stared at Percy with narrowed eyes as if looking into the depths of his soul to see whether or not he really learned anything he said he did, and after a moment of intense staring, he looked satisfied, nodding as he said, "Close enough. Now, we got a bit off track there, going into the details of everything, but regarding what you just did (Summoning both Riptide and Blackjack), you shouldn't do that again until we figure out a way to grow your reservoir."
"Sorry, Blackjack," Percy said to his Intent. "You heard all that; I don't got enough 'reservoir' to have both of you guys out." Apollo nodded as Blackjack huffed, but instead of complaining said, Aw, sorry, boss-man, you almost fainted cause of me.
Psh, Percy thought back. If anything, blame it on Apollo for thinking I had enough energy for the both of you, or even me since I told him I wasn't tired (which I really wasn't though).
Apollo hummed. "Yes, well, I myself barely have enough Spirit Energy for dual Summoning, so I shouldn't have expected that from you, Perce." He looked truly guilty, and it looked so weird on the pompous man's face that Percy was tempted to punch it off. Either that or he was still grudging about the oobleck thing. Or it was a mix of both.
Apollo glanced at the time on his phone that he fished out, and his eyes lingered there for a moment as if collecting himself before he looked up at Percy, no trace of the previous bitterness or guilt in his face, as his teeth shone brightly again as well as his eyes. "Well then, looks like time's up. Shall we get you home, now?" Percy's eyes widened.
Awesome! Blackjack neighed in his mind.
I noticed you were slightly homesick during this time, Master, Riptide commented. I do believe going home will do you good.
"Wait, really?" he asked as if it was too good to be true that he was going home (but at the same time, he had enjoyed his time with his cousin...to a point. But if his corporeal training was over, that means meeting the Timeless on Sunday was just that much closer, right?).
"Aw, I'm hurt, was my hospitality not good enough for you, cuz?" Apollo asked feigning hurt as he stood, putting a hand out for Percy to grab onto. Percy took it and hauled himself up with ease as they let go and Apollo gestured for him to follow. Percy glared at the man slightly, about to mention the whole 'near oobleck death experience,' but he thought otherwise as his thoughts trailed back to the way Apollo's voice took on an edge he'd never expect from him before.
"Your clothes were laundered, so you can change into that, pack some leftovers with you, and come to the car," Apollo instructed easily. "Ask Ms. Bolender (the maid) about the clothes, and you can leave my son's clothes in the bathroom you used the first night. Bolender'll give you the packed leftovers, and I'll be waiting in the car." He pulled out his car key and swung it around his finger before adding, "The normal car."
Percy did a double take. "Say what now?"
Normal car? Blackjack asked with the same confusion as Percy himself.
Apollo just grinned brightly as he waved and walked off, leaving Percy wondering what 'the normal car' meant. What was the other car, then, that Apollo had first driven Percy in, if not normal. Sure it was brightly colored, but surely...
"His Intent," Percy realized. He groaned. Because of course Apollo had a bright car as an Intent; probably Transportation Intent or something. He wouldn't be surprise.
You know, I wouldn't be surprised, Blackjacked voiced. Percy nodded in agreement as he headed into the house, easily spotting Ms Bolender and asking her about his clothes. She led him to the bathroom where his clothes were and he thanked her before closing the door and quickly changing (After the oobleck incident, he had taken a shower of course, also partially to ease his muscle pains which Apollo's Healer Intent had helped with for the most part the day before), and he put Apollo's son's (Would that make him my nephew once removed or somethin'?) clothes to the side as instructed.
He went to the dining room and found the packs of food ready in bags and disposable - oh shoot - not disposable Tupperware (Percy would have to ask Apollo when he would be coming to get them back), and went out to the back where he figured the car would be. There he found, indeed, a much more normal looking car (of course from Apollo's own company, though), that was colored white. Still sort of flashy, but not as much as bright yellow.
He took a seat, buckled at Apollo's insistence, and soon they were driving off. After a moment of silence, Percy asked, "Oh yeah, what was that important information you forgot to tell me about? You said you'd tell me after the volcano, but you never did."
As the scenery passed, Apollo glanced at Percy before looking back at the road. "Ah, yes, well, you were quite 'unconscious' at the time, so telling you was a bit difficult."
Percy cringed a bit. "Oh shoot, you right." After making it to the top of the volcano, Percy had collapsed right then and there, thankfully not into the oobleck, and apparently Sunflower had to bring Apollo up to the top to grab Percy off and bring him down where Melody, Apollo's Healer Intent, well, healed him. Percy had woke up after that, and they ate dinner. "Well, then why didn't you just tell me during dinner?" Percy pointed out.
Apollo chuckled. "Well, I actually tried to bring it up, but I think you were too tired to think at that point, Perce. You looked ready to fall face first in your plate of food." Percy narrowed his eyes, thinking back to the dinner before.
He scratched his head. "Oh, that explains why I don't remember what I ate for dinner." When it came to food, Percy was pretty good at remembering about it, but he realized he had no clue what he ate then. I guess I really was too tired to think. Apollo let out a laugh as he turned the car when the light turned. Percy turned to him slightly. "So, what is it?"
Apollo hummed before saying, "Well, it's regarding manifesting more Intents and how to do it." Percy perked up. He had actually wondered about that at some point, but didn't think much on it. Apollo explained, "You mentioned it yesterday: your Spirit took over thanks to your three human facets: emotion, intellect, and will, but at that time, it was especially your will. Intents are usually founded based on those three things, or at least one of them. I had actually expected you to manifest another Intent yesterday, but at the time, Riptide had sufficed it seems."
"Okay," Percy said, thinking about it. He thought back to when Riptide first manifested. He hadn't been feeling particularly willful or emotional back then though; Riptide had sort of just...came out. "Well, I think I get the emotion and will part, but how do you manifest an Intent based on intelligence? Like, do you have to do math calculations on the probability for reasons why you need a new Intent or something?"
Apollo chuckled. "Well, you're not entirely wrong."
"Wait, I'm not?" Percy said in horror. "Well, I guess I'm never Summoning based on Intellect."
Apollo shook his head, laughing. "Nah, the math part was wrong, but the part about necessity was correct. Sometimes, we don't feel a particular passion for something that we need, but we still know, logically, that we'd need it."
"Hmm," Percy replied thinking back. That makes sense, he thought. He hadn't felt a specifically strong will or emotion when he had first Summoned Riptide, but he must've somehow known intellectually that he would need a Defender Intent, logically speaking. Well, that's convenient, he thought. "Legit."
"Indeed. Now, shall we play some music?" Before Percy could answer the question, Apollo cackled before slamming a button, and turning the volume dial up. Percy might've yelped in shock, but no one would ever know because the sound of Green day was louder.
As Apollo sang along, Percy huffed a bit and looked at him, wondering what the sudden suggestion of music was for, and at first Percy played it off as another one of Apollo's antics, but when he looked at the man's face, the grin didn't reach his eyes and there seemed to be something bothering him. The image of Apollo's outburst during his lesson made its way into Percy's mind. Percy grit his teeth slightly. Perhaps Apollo's own childhood wasn't quite as ideal as his goofy and fun attitude made it out to be.
As he remembered that he and Jason were brothers, but Jason didn't know about it, Percy leaned his head on the window, head bumping slightly as the car drove on. Not everyone is as they seem, he thought before finally succumbing to the music and singing along.
After a while, Apollo commented, "Perce, don't sing. It's not very delightful to hear."
"Hey!"
o)0(o - Linebreak
Annabeth walked up to Percy's house after school, and was not surprised to see the white car in front of it and the door unlocked.
"That's...Apollo's right?" Jason asked next to her. They had come together that day, insisting that them alone go, to which Thalia had narrowed her eyes at, but they played it off with some excuse somehow. They planned to make their plan that day, but after confirming something with Percy and even Apollo. She glanced at the blonde boy next to her before nodding her head.
"I know you might be worried, but the chances that it's Timeless is slim so don't worry too much." He nodded a bit as Annabeth walked to the door, knocking so as to not shock the people inside. He heard a call from behind the door, shuffling, and soon the doornob turned, revealing a bewildered Percy Jackson. Annabeth nearly reeled back in shock at his eyes; they were so much more vibrant than in memory and the difference was astounding.
She held herself back from staring into them, lest she got lost in them. "Percy!" Jason exclaimed from next to her, absolute and utter relief flooding in his face.
"Jason!" The two fist bumped while Annabeth peered into the house over Percy's shoulder to find a blonde man with sky blue eyes approaching. Percy turned to Annabeth, signature lopsided grin on his face. Weird, she thought to herself as a flutter made its way into her chest. She's only ever felt that when she saw Luke, so she was a bit confused (or in denial, but she would deny that as well).
"Hey, Seaweed brain," she said, crossing her arms over her chest. "You sure did us some good by leaving our only way to contact you in your house." She gestured to the phone that he held in his hand. He laughed.
"Well, looks like I was missed greatly," he said in mock seriousness before grinning and stepping to the side. "Come in! Me and Apollo were about to eat some left overs from his house." Annabeth raised an eyebrow at the strange timing for food, but didn't complain as she and Jason walked in (as she silently corrected Percy's grammar in her head; it was 'Apollo and I' not 'Me and Apollo' but she didn't bother voicing her thoughts).
"Apollo's here?" Jason asked idly.
"Bet I am, brother!"
Jason jumped, turning to the man who was grinning next to Percy. "How did I not notice you there?" Jason asked, voicing Annabeth's own question why Jason hadn't noticed the guy, but her eyes flicked over to Jason's hands that were twitching slightly, and realized that he was probably more nervous than he let on. Well, if I had found out I had a long lost brother, I guess I'd be nervous too, she thought to herself. He had probably been a bit too nervous to notice his surroundings.
But he did seem to be a bit more relaxed now that they've seen Percy, and though she would never admit out loud, she felt a small weight come off her shoulders as she watched Percy lead them to the living room. She knew that he had probably been safe, but paranoia was not easily removed, even the slightest bit, and she felt it release her when the black haired boy practically jumped on the couch, sighing contentedly.
"Damn, I've missed lying down on the couch without having to worry about the next training session," he said as he plucked a grape from the Tupperware on the table. Apollo chuckled.
"Oh don't think you're getting rid of me that easily," he replied slyly with a grin wide on his face. Annabeth watched with amusement as Percy's face dropped and he sat up.
"Wait, I'm not?"
Apollo feigned pain as he clutched his heart dramatically. "Cousin, did you not enjoy my presence at all?"
Percy gave the man a blank stare. "I almost drowned in oobleck."
Apollo shrugged. "Well, at least now you've completed part of your training."
"Aren't I supposed to train with Artemis next though?" Percy asked. Annabeth and Jason had sat on the couch as Apollo sat on the smaller sofa. Annabeth watched with interest at the exchange - Percy and Apollo had clearly gotten closer, though that was to be expected. But she did have one question tickling at the back of her mind. Almost drowned in oobleck? But she decided she wouldn't interrupt.
Apollo nodded. "Yes, you will be, but in order to do that, you need to be able to go into the Spirit World."
Annabeth's interest piqued at the prospect of new knowledge regarding the Spirit World.
Percy cocked his head to the side. "Uh, can't I just walk into the lake, er, Gate, and be through?" Annabeth paused at that. She hadn't thought much on how to travel through the Gate since the first time she's heard about it, but she doubted it'd be that simple; that would warrant random people to accidentally walk into the Spirit World, and there were bound to be people who talked of it, but no such things as this has Annabeth ever heard before.
So there must have been more to just 'walking in.'
Answering the question, Apollo said, "No, cuz, you can't just walk in. Remember, it's your Spirit body that's able to go through, not your physical one. Last time, Arty had pulled your Spirit through, but you need to learn how to get through on your own. I'll be teaching you that since you'll be in the Corporeal World before you get in the Spirit World."
Annabeth hummed and spoke before anyone else could respond. "I've been told, and so has Jason, that as of right now, priority is training Percy to survive; why waste precious time to teach him how to cross over when he probably won't need to when confronted by the Timeless." Jason nodded in agreement and Percy 'oh yeah' - ed at that. She didn't miss the way he looked at her and their eyes caught one another's gaze momentarily before she turned to Apollo in question.
Apollo stroked his chin. "How very astute of you, and I would agree, but the thing is, is that the skill needed for crossing through the Gate can be helpful in many other situations as well, including running for your life from crazies."
"Wonderful," Percy remarked.
Jason spoke up. "Wait, so how is it done? What skill is needed?" Annabeth shot Jason a bit of a warning glance. They had come up with their plan already, the other day, and part of it had to do with Apollo, but she didn't want Percy to know about it. It wasn't that Percy wasn't untrustworthy, rather, he was the most trustworthy since he was the one being targeted in the first place, but she and Jason had come to the conclusion that the less people knew, the better.
Neither Percy nor Apollo seemed to catch on. We'll make sure the Timeless don't know what the plan is even if they have the spy. Jason and I will-
"Well, little bro," Apollo said interrupting Annabeth's thoughts. "In order to cross, you need to be able to master a semblance of meditation." Percy groaned immediately.
"Of course it's meditation," he complained before explaining, "I have ADHD; that's not gonna go well." Apollo laughed heartily before saying, pointer in air:
"Not to worry, kid, there are more ways than one to meditate," Apollo explained. "Not all of them consist just sitting still and doing nothing. I for one learned to meditate through music."
"Green day?" Percy asked with a raised brow.
"Pff, no, of course not," replied Apollo who proceeded to make a strange motion with his fingers, as if strumming invisible strings in the air. His hand glowed and there was a flash, the suddenness of it blinding Annabeth momentarily as she thought in shock He just Summoned. She had seen him do it before, when they first met in the same house they were in, but that time she had been across the room. Up close, it was much more impressive with how quickly he was able to Summon in a split second.
When the light cleared, Annabeth was again surprised, though not bewildered, to find a glowing lyre in Apollo's hand. He has multiple Intents as well, she noted. The man ran a single finger across the strings, grinning, flashing his bright teeth.
The sound reverberated in the room. "The music I listen to, Perce, is instrumental." And with that he strummed a quick piece with quick but beautiful notes that overlapped with the next, harmonizing flawlessly, the glow of the instrument pulsing.
"Show off," Percy said but there was no bite behind the words as he grinned a bit. "I like that, I guess, but I'm still not going to be able to sit still; the only reason I could during the sunrises was, er, actually, I'm not too sure, but I don't know if it'll work again."
"In addition, I won't always be there to play you music, Perce, so you have to find out your own style," Apollo added. Percy nodded at that, face thoughtful.
"Oh," Jason said, face mirroring Percy's own. "Meditating - would it be helpful because Percy would be able to keep a calm mind during a fight?"
"Partially," Apollo answered right away. "But it also has to do with Summoning itself." He turned to face Percy as he pointed at him. "You remember what I said about your Spirit and body?" Percy nodded.
"Yeah," he answered. "I have to sync them."
"Exactly. Meditation helps with syncing the mind and body, and the more synced they are, the easier controlling your river of energy will be-"
"And I can Summon quicker," Percy finished, nodding as though understanding. Annabeth found that slightly irritable; she couldn't help it. She didn't understand to the full extent of what Apollo explained, but she assumed it was because he was referring to the training he had given Percy, so for her who hadn't been there, she wouldn't have understood either way. She doubted Jason was faring any better either.
"Spirit? Body? Syncing?" Jason asked, proving her point. "Can someone fill me in?"
Percy looked ready to do exactly that as he opened his mouth, but Apollo beat him to it, waving the question away with a hand. "Yes, but later; Percy and I have been resting here for over three hours despite my insistence, and we really should be going." Percy's face dropped for the second time, and Annabeth felt the urge to wipe that hurt puppy look off his face.
"But we just reunited!" he exclaimed. He scooted closer to her, causing her to flinch internally though she wouldn't know why she felt a flustered feeling bloom in her chest when Percy reached his arm over, and to her slight shock, patting her shoulder and pointing at Jason who was a bit too far for him to reach. His arm retracted right away, but it still left Annabeth's heart doing some weird gymnastic routine. Percy looked at Apollo imploringly. "You can't separate us three so quickly!"
Apollo sighed. "I know, Perce, and I'm sure Jason wants to have a long conversation with me as well-" Jason tensed slightly next to Annabeth "-as do I, but we have a schedule, and I've let you rest long enough." That snapped Annabeth out of whatever stupor she was in as she remembered part of her purpose for coming.
"Wait," she said just as Apollo had started standing. She saw Percy look at her with hopeful eyes as she said, "It's fine; you guys can go-" Percy pouted a bit, and Annabeth admitted it was slightly endearing though the thought was shot down in annoyance "-but let us ask you guys one thing, just to confirm something."
At Apollo's lack of resistance, Annabeth asked, after giving a short knowing glance to Jason who nodded, "What do you guys know about Luke?" The words tasted terrible in her mouth; she felt as though she betrayed her friend who had been with her for years, but she bit down, drowning out sentimentality as she listened for their answer. There was still a chance that Luke wasn't what Jason and she had assumed, it-
"He's one of the Timeless," Apollo said solemnly, face uncharacteristically serious for once. Annabeth's heart sunk. She turned to Percy to find him staring at his lap like they were the only interesting thing in the room. She could see that his jaw was clenched.
"Is he telling the truth?" Jason asked Percy when he saw the look on Annabeth's face. Annabeth was grateful for that, because even if she had been wanting to ask, her mouth felt far too dry to.
Slowly, Percy opened his mouth, though he didn't meet their eyes. His voice was more strained than Annabeth expected. "I, I mean, his Spirit, when I was in the Spirit World, was flickery, suppressed, and according to Apollo that's a sign of people like the Timeless, and..." He visibly swallowed as he clenched his fists a bit. "Every spiritual being I've come across keeps telling me that they don't trust him and that I shouldn't either.
"I..." He trailed off. "I don't know what to think," he finished weakly, rubbing the back of his neck. Annabeth realized then and there, looking at his downcast eyes that swirled with sadness, that Percy Jackson cared for Luke, and maybe not as she did or as much as she did, but he still did, and it was just as hard for him to accept as it was for her.
And she realized that she could trust Percy, despite all the trouble he's brought to her life, she could trust that he would be loyal to his friends.
Annabeth found herself talking without her mind's consent. "We've already come to a similar conclusion." Jason's eyes widened a bit and he gawked at her. They shared a look and Annebeth knew that Jason saw something in her own eyes to make him come out of his stupor and instead nod to her.
Percy seemed to hesitate a bit before asking, "Er, what...what do we do about..." He gulped. "...about Luke?" He looked like he swallowed something particularly bitter, and she herself cringed internally, but she knew that her feelings for Luke...they had to be put aside (though a voice deep within asked why she should choose Percy over Luke, but quickly she shut the voice up, not trusting herself to dwell on it).
"No worries," Jason said, crossing his arms. He nodded to Annabeth. "Don't worry about it; we'll deal with it." Apollo raised an eyebrow at that, and Percy nodded after a moment of silence.
"Alright," he said. "I trust you guys."
The words felt like a storm wall, sleet, rain, thunder, everything, slamming straight into Annabeth with full force; those words - she could see it in his swirling eyes, that they meant so much more than English could convey. She had wondered how Percy was able to trust her and her friends so easily when it seemed like he's had a bad past with people who claimed to be friends before, but she realized that he wasn't completely without trust issues either.
But he was looking to change, she realized, and he was suddenly not just a trouble maker in her eyes, but someone who could be trusted and someone who was, well...good.
She blinked at the thought. Good. What a vague word and yet it fit.
"Well, we'll leave you to it then," Apollo said, nodding to Annabeth and Jason. He jutted his finger to Percy. "We'll be heading out now-" he looked pointedly in Percy's direction "-and I'll say this: thank you two, for looking out for my cousin. He's a bit like a fish: a bit naive."
"Hey!" Percy protested as Apollo laughed and Annabeth felt her mouth tug into a smile at that. Jason snickered a bit as well.
"Hey, we bros look out for each other," Jason replied, grinning. He turned to Percy. "Don't worry, man. You're gonna make it; you're not alone." He held a fist out and Percy bumped it, mouth lopsided and wide in a beaming smile.
"Thanks, man," he said. He turned to Annabeth and her breath stopped for a moment as he gazed at her silently. It was only for a second, almost unnoticeable but to Annabeth it felt like slow motion. He smirked. "Thanks, Wisegirl. Your wisdom will be well appreciated." He bowed in mock respect and she huffed, though she was smiling.
"It better be," she replied. "I don't often help naive fish navigate the ocean, but I'll let it slide this time."
"Psh, I'm not a naive fish," Percy said crossing his arms haughtily, as though offended, but by the twinkle in his eye, she knew it was a joke. "But yes, please do help me navigate."
"Sure will," she said back, smirking.
Percy, Jason, and Annabeth kept exchanging words consisting of jokes and also goodbies, but eventually Apollo, laughing, urged Percy that they should get going and the green eyed boy relented. With final remarks to each other and an official farewell, Percy and Apollo were out the door, Jason and Annabeth walking out as well, waving the two goodbye as they walked toward the Forest's direction.
Annabeth stood silently, watching the retreating form of Percy, as Jason turned to her.
"Looks like the plan'll have to work," Jason noted. Annabeth looked at the blonde, silently noting herself of his straight posture and hard eyes. So...stiff, she thought silently. She nodded.
"It'll work," she said. "There isn't a way for Luke to find out at all, so it'll catch the Timeless by surprise with certainty."
"We need to talk to Apollo though, ask him about-"
"Schist," Annabeth cursed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "We forgot to ask that, didn't we?"
Jason grimaced. "Uh, yeah." He eyed her before looking sheepish. "Sorry; that was my fault."
It was, Annabeth almost said, but she calmed herself and instead iterated, "No, no it's alright. I should've realized myself. I-" Her phone buzzed in her pocket and she frowned, looking at the screen to see who interrupted her and to her surprise, the ID read: Percy Jackson. She turned to Jason who silently asked who it was with his eyes, and she said, "It's Percy," before she accepted the call. "Is this Percy?"
"Hey, Annabeth, and no, it's not Percy, but I'm sure my voice is handsome enough for you" Apollo's voice said from the other side, Annabeth raising an uninterested eyebrow at that unnecessary comment.
"May I ask you something?" Annabeth asked before he could state his case. She would ask him the question now, since the chance to conveniently showed itself again, fortunately. But before she could ask it, she was interrupted.
"Hm? Oh, well, if it's about Percy going to school, he will be; that's actually what I wanted to talk about," Apollo explained, shocking Annabeth with the revelation. School? she thought. She wasn't exactly against it, but she was under the idea that Percy needed the most time possible to train. Apollo must have felt her question through her silence because he continued, "Well, sort of. Only on Friday though, since I'm assuming all of you kids want to discuss some planning and such as soon as possible.
"And I'll also be staying around, specifically in Percy's house, since I'll need to be here to supervise his physical body as his training in the Spirit World happens. I'll send my number through Percy's; give it to my brother as well," Annabeth glanced at Jason, "and I'll see you guys later!" Before Annabeth could say anything, the call ended.
There was a ding and true to his words, Annabeth received Apollo's number. She frowned before turning to Jason.
"It was Apollo," she said.
"You...were you able to ask the question? Or get an answer?" Jason asked.
Annabeth shrugged a bit. "Hmph, he didn't quite give me the chance to ask, though, I did learn some useful info." She explained how Percy was going to go to school on Friday, and how Apollo would be staying at Percy's house for the time that Percy would be training in the Spirit World, assumed with Artemis.
"So, I guess we can visit here some other time, ask him as soon as possible." Jason seemed to think for a moment before asking, "Did he say he would be particularly busy while Percy was training?" Annabeth shook her head.
"No; from the sounds of it, it looks like he'll be pretty free, unless watching over Percy's physical body takes all possible concentration that is." She shivered at the thought; she had figured out that when going into the Spirit World, the physical body was left in the Corporeal World. That would mean the body was practically a dead thing, but she decidedly didn't think too much on that disturbing thought.
"Then it's possible Apollo could do it, right?" Jason asked. Annabeth nodded.
"I doubt he's going to just stand by and watch," she said. "I'm thinking he's planning something of his own to help Percy out on Sunday." The dreaded Sunday. "I wouldn't think otherwise unless he has something to do on Sunday, but I'm sure he'd be willing to skip whatever important appointment a CEO would have for the sake of his own cousin."
"Wait, CEO?" Jason question. Annabeth looked at Jason with a blank look.
"I'm shocked you didn't recognize him; his company works with your dad sometimes doesn't it? Chariot Corps.?" Annabeth asked. A look of recognition dawned on Jason's face.
"Oh damn," he said. "But, Chariot Corps' CEO's name is Fred Solace, isn't it?"
"It's just what he's more commonly known as," Annabeth replied. "I actually did some digging before school today on 'Apollo' since I've definitely seen him before. Turns out that's Fred Solace's original birth name, and it's not really a guarded secret either; it's just less known is all."
"Oh," Jason said, blinking. Annabeth smiled a bit at her friend. She could see the simple charm in him that Piper always talked about.
"Well," she said, getting back on track, putting her phone up in front of her. "I've got Apollo's number, which I'll send to you, and I'll try to call him tonight." Jason came out of his stupor before nodding. "For now, we'll separate and I'll see you tomorrow. I have a call to make." She thought before adding, "And an English essay to finish."
"You know that that essay is due next week right?" Jason remarked with an amused face. Annabeth simply shrugged as she waved goodbye. He waved back and said, "Well, I suppose I'll ask my own dad about Apollo later then; maybe try to get some more info about the war out of him." They nodded to each other and walked in separate directions.
Once Annabeth reached her own house, she ate dinner, avoiding the thrown food by Bobby and helping he step mom clean the mess while Fredrick scolded the boy. She had been questioned about the lateness, but she told her father that she had hung out with her friends again. At first, he was suspicious, but eventually he smiled and said he was happy she was loosening up on her schoolwork. She scoffed at that a bit, but smiled.
Once in her room, she pulled her phone out. She had already sent Jason Apollo's number and now she just had to call Apollo herself.
She called, and the caller picked up after three rings. "Chariot's number one speaking," Apollo's voice rang from the other side. Annabeth ignored the strange way he referred to himself, and instead got straight to the point: "Don't let Percy know:
"Jason and I need you to train us."
Yeyeyeyyyyyy; DONE! Well, hope you guys are doing well, and hope you enjoyed!
ImtheOnlyFanBoyintheWorld: Thanks, and well, Luke will get what he deserves in the end. Just not yet haha
Da surviver: Thanks for being understanding :) And the book is fantasy, setting in a totally different world, with a whole different magic, political, economic, etc. system; really short and bad summary is that Harper Krass and Keenan Diamonds end up involving themselves in investigating recent assassinations and kidnappings, both things slowly causing growing panic in the nation. But as they dig deeper, they find out that they're not only dealing with crimes happening now, but crimes from thousands of years past, and an evil group of people whose powers shouldn't exist, who seem to be targetting Harper and Keenan specifically (has to do with their 'legacy'). And they've got no clue why. Best summary I could give, but it sorta sucks. It sounds like mystery, but that's really not the main though lol. One thing is that the people in that world don't have pupils in their eyes, and that's pretty important. Hope that satisfies XD
And regarding those with bad childhoods, whether it be because of a birth "defect" or parental or familial situations, I'm here guys, as I'm sure others are. I myself can't do much since chances are we've never met in person and never will, but I can always lend an ear. You can rant to me about anything, trust that my lips are sealed, and that I'll listen just for the sake of listening so you can let it all out.
I'm religious, and though you guys may or may not be, I'm always open to prayer requests, and y'all can ask me to pray for you or any situation. That goes for legit anyone.
For everyone out there going through tough times, I don't know you, but I'm sure I love you. I can't help much physically, but let me help a little bit if you may allow it, because I want to be able to help y'all out. I feel like the internet is such an amazing thing. Its potential is immense. So many toxic things happen on it, but the fact of the matter is, there's potential for just as much good to happen. With it, it gives us abilities to reach out to people all over the world who might be down, and it gives us a chance to reach out and say "Hey, need help?" so with that in mind, I want to use the internet to meet this kind of potential.
Y'all, I got your backs! I'm sure there are many people in your life who do too, deny it or not, and I'm one of those people, got it?
Well, I was feeling sentimental, but this stands true all the time.
Critique the writing, give suggestions, or just comment!
Hope you enjoyed and I hope y'all have the best day!