Winter Sea - chapter 1
Winter Sea - A Percy Jackson and the Olympians x RWBY crossover
Destiny and Fate are two opposite concepts. Destiny means that certain events are unavoidable. Fate, on the other hand, is an outcome of infinite possibilities.
Three old women sat around the fireplace in a dark cave. Their gray robes seemed to shimmer, reflecting the yellow flames. Under the hoods each of them was wrinkled, but at the same time retaining a certain beauty. Next to them laid a basket full of yarn balls. Overall the image seemed peaceful, but at the same time, there was this aura of dread and power around three women. Clotho pulled another ball of yarn (the blue one) and started to unreel it. She handed the end of it to Lachesis, who carefully measured it. She was in the middle of this when suddenly all three heard a heated argument outside.
"I am not going back, mother. I am sick of these three months here, nine months there. I want to live with my husband. If you didn't notice, I love him!" This was Persephone, the queen of the underworld. Three old women abandoned their job for a moment to listen to this argument. In their opinion, Olympian drama was better than any romantic comedy on TV these days. Where is the Greek theater when you need some fun?
"You insolent child. I gave you everything and that is how you repay me? By running away with some chthonic deity? He already cheated on you multiple times!" The woman who could only be Demeter screamed at her daughter.
"Like you are the one to speak." Persephone fumed. "Have you checked the timeline mother? He only did that when I was taken from him. Hades is not like my father or your other lovers. Just because you can't keep them doesn't mean you need to force me to abandon the man I love."
"You will go with me or humans will starve. I need you!"
"You need to get yourself a dog. Or a cat. Or a freaking moose for all I care. I am not a pet. I am a grown woman with my own life."
"You are still my daughter!" Demeter screamed in anger, but there was also certain desperation behind her voice.
"Don't you have several mortal children? Go play with them. Maybe make them immortal and Leave. Me. Alone!" Fates snickered. Persephone never allowed anyone to tell her what to do. Not since she was free from her mother's grasp for the first time. Putting the entrance to the underworld on her path was one of their best decision, one that three Fates were proud of even to this day.
"It won't end like that!" Demeter screamed before storming off. Persephone also walked, her steps echoing through almost all the underworld. It was best not to stand on her way now.
In perfect silence, accompanied only by the crackling of the fireplace, the three Fates returned to their work. Lachesis did not notice that her hand slipped a bit, shortening the length of yarn she measured before she handed it to Atropos and the Fate of Death did not bother with checking again. Only after she cut it, with loud clung, they all realized the grave mistake. Life was ended before destiny could unfold. Before it even started. Now they had to plan it all again. But what about the child, barely one-and-a-half years old. Oh well, gods can resolve it between themselves. We don't need to bother with each and every problem.
They all laughed before returning to their yarn, only now the crackling of the fireplace was accompanied by their chatter on the future of the world Earth.
A woman was driving through the forest. The road was empty and night has already fallen, but she had to get to her destination today. If she was to have any chance of getting this job, she needed to arrive on time. At the same time, she didn't want to speed. Her only son was with her in the car. A young boy, not even two years old. Her little hero. The trees threw a shadow over the road, making it harder to see. The eerie sound of wind running around the forest was obscured by the sound of the engine in her car. The ride was so peaceful. Everything was so calm.
Suddenly, a large black boar walked onto the road. The woman tried to avoid hitting it, but she lost control over the car, sending it swirling into the tree. The machine crashed with great strength. While airbags did work, it was little help against a stray branch that pierced inside the car. The woman could feel her life escape slowly. She knew that there was no point in calling for help. It was so far from any civilization that her cries would fall on the deaf ears anyway. In the dark forest, nobody would hear her. But she had to do something. Not for herself, but for her child. She had to save him. Her little hero. There was only one way. She silently prayed to the father of her boy, unable to say any word aloud. She begged him to come and save him from otherwise death by starvation. She asked him to get him to safety. She needed to know he was safe.
As the last life left Sally Jackson, the only thing she cared about was that her son was safe. Her little hero. Her Perseus. Percy.
On Olympus, Poseidon heard the call. In a flash of golden light, he appeared next to the car. But alas he was already too late. Sally Jackson, a queen among mortals, was dead. A single tear traveled down the cheek of the sea god. But he heard another sound. A child crying. This brought him back to earth. His son was still alive. Carefully, not to damage him, he pulled the boy out of the crashed car and flashed the two of them to Olympus. Inside his temple, he summoned a small crib for him. A sound of booming thunder alerted Poseidon about his Drama Queen of a brother calling a meeting. In another flash of golden light, he appeared on his throne. Other gods came soon as well.
"What is this about father?" Artemis was first to ask.
Zeus sent Poseidon angry glare before turning to the whole council and speaking. "It did not avert my gaze that Poseidon brought a demigod to Olympus. Care to explain brother?" the message behind this was clear: you are in big trouble bro.
"Yes, well..." Poseidon found himself at the loss of words. He knew there was no point in lying because Apollo could easily reveal the deception. But he also would not let them harm his son.
"We are waiting uncle." Athena rushed him. She smiled like a predator at the expression that was on the face of the god of seas.
"Ugh fine! I have a son." This earned a gasp of surprise from most of the council. They knew that Zeus broke his oath. It was no surprise that the king of Olympus could not keep it in his pants, but no one would dare to say it out loud (except his brothers that is). "And just now his mother died in a car crash. I had to save him."
"You broke the Ancient Laws brother. And the oath we took after the last war." Zeus scolded his brother.
"Like you are the one to talk!" Poseidon screamed. "At least I didn't have a child twice with the same woman!"
"That is not the point. I did not break the laws." Zeus argued.
"No!? What about when you gave this son of yours... James or something, to Hera as an apology. Hm? And when you let her guide him to Lupa. How is that different than me taking my son and getting him to camp?" Poseidon was fuming with anger. Other Olympians could feel the whole mountain shake, responding to barely contained rage of the one called the Earthshaker.
"He will not go to the camp!"
"Oh!? And why is that?" The room was run through with a particularly powerful tremor.
"He is dangerous. I can sense his power even now. He must be disposed of. You know the prophecy. He is second in line."
"Oh! So that is what is it about?!" Poseidon was slowly getting angrier and angrier. He was known for his short temper, but now he tried to rein it for the good of his son.
"His smell would attract monsters to the camp or any mortal family he stayed with." Zeus tried to reason, but Poseidon was relentless in his anger. Other Olympians observed this exchange with fear. Two brothers fought between themselves quite often, but it was rare for either to get this agitated. And the fact that Poseidon was trying to rein his anger only made it worse. Last time he accumulated so much of it, the whole archipelago was wiped out by the tremors. Athena decided that if they were to avoid more needless destruction, she had to intervene.
"Father, Uncle... I believe there might be another solution. Maybe instead of fighting needlessly we sit down and debate on this subject like the council should do." She tried to subtly suggest to them that they are not alone, but it hardly worked. Two sons of Kronos kept arguing, completely ignoring everything that was happening around them. Several gods used this opportunity to do what they liked. Apollo pulled out a set of headphones and started to listen to some 'music', Hephaestus kept himself busy with fidgeting with a set of screws and metallic parts, Hermes was texting on his phone, probably securing some beneficial deal for his company. Ares and Aphrodite were so focused on staring at each other that even if Hades walked next to them in only his underwear they would not realize it.
Athena just sighted. She looked to Hera, only to see her just as tired with this as she was. A plan started to form in her head. Quickly, Athena summoned some of her books about other pantheons and started looking. For a mortal, it would take hours to browser it all, but she was a goddess of knowledge after all. She found what she was looking for in record time and coughed, trying to get everyone's attention. It only partially worked, because most of the Olympians were still focused on their own business. She sent Artemis a meaningful glare and the goddess of hunt understood the message. She pulled out a silver arrow and drawn her bow. The arrow sailed through the air and hit its destiny. Sound of very clear and high-pitched scream filled the air. Apollo was clutching his manhood, now with the silver arrow standing from it. Athena sighed. "I wanted to get their attention. I did not ask you to castrate your brother."
"I know, but I couldn't help it. Besides, it worked. His scream got their attention." Artemis retorted with a malicious smile. It was hilarious to watch a twelve-years-old girl grin like that while at the same time trying to look innocent.
"Whatever. I have other books to attend." Athena mumbled under her breath. She then turned to the council. "I believe I found a solution to this problem. First, I must agree with my father that this sea spawn is much too powerful for his own good." Poseidon seemed to be fuming, but he allowed her to continue. "But it's only by standards of this world."
"Wait. Are you suggesting we send the boy away... where exactly?" Demeter inquired. She was still pissed at her daughter for refusing to leave with her. This time even Zeus could not help and humans mastered agriculture to the point where she would have trouble with just destroying their crops. She lost her best argument and could no longer get her precious little Kora back from this dark underworld. Hades must've corrupted her daughter. Yes. That was the only explanation. Why else would her little girl not want to spend time with her anymore?
"To Remnant." She stated. Most gods had no idea what was this supposed to mean, only Zeus and Poseidon were old enough to be acquitted with that term.
Zeus looked at her in disbelieve. "How do you even know about it?" It was a thing older the gods themselves, a world much like earth, created by two foreign gods, two brothers representing light and darkness.
"Books hold knowledge father. It is wise to read them from time to time." Athena, with all the respect she had for her father could not stop herself from making this comment. It was subtle enough that he would not get angry, but yet she insulted his dislike for reading. "From what I managed to find, people in this world are much closer to demigods than they are to humans. He would not stand out there as much, and he would be safe from the prophecy as he would be out of Olympus."
"But how 're we to send him there, 'eh?" Hephaestus asked without looking, still fiddling with whatever he was building.
"We ask the creators of that world. Simple as that." Athena said in matter 'o' factly tone.
"Truly brilliant plan my daughter, but there is one problem. Nobody knows what happened with the two brothers after they departed Remnant." Zeus praised her before dismissing her plan.
"But there is a way to contact them, is there not?" She said suggestively. Zeus only grumbled.
"Yes. I see that everything pales in comparison to your knowledge." He said with resignation. "Fine. If Poseidon agrees, we will send his spawn away so that he will not endanger anyone and interfere with the great prophecy." It was clear that Zeus would rather see the sea spawn killed than living happily on another planet.
Poseidon mulled over the idea in his head. It was the best they could come up with that would satisfy everyone. But the sea god did not want to just abandon his son on some distant planet without anyone to care for him. And he remembered Remnant as a rather dangerous world. People living there were able to surpass lesser demigods in both skill and power. Percy would fit in, but he just could not bear to part with the boy. He knew him for so little, but he wanted to care for him. He wanted him to become part of his family. Poseidon could not yet bring himself to make a selfish decision. The Remnant would offer Percy safety, a semblance of peace, and a loving environment. The last one he would make sure about himself. "I agree. But I have one condition: he will be placed in a family that will take the best care possible for him. Is that clear, brother?"
Zeus gulped. It's been a long time since he last saw and heard this side of Poseidon. It was a threat unlike any others before. It was clear as day that Poseidon was willing to go any length to ensure his son's safety and would punish them if they did not oblige. "Yes, brother. Let's contact the Two Gods then."
In the dark cave, Fates watched what happened on the Olympus and scowled.
"How dare they send away the boy just like that?!" Atropos raged. "I already invented so many new hardships for him!"
"Don't worry. I am sure we can find another play toy." Clotho tried to calm her sister, but her reassurance had little effect.
"Besides, he has the soul of a hero. The trouble will follow him anywhere no matter what they try to do." Lachesis smiled.
"You are right. We might no longer be able to weave his fate, but we can still enjoy the show." Atropos sighed in defeat. She and her sisters had great plans for Perseus, but there would come others. It wasn't as if he was their only hope yet. Now to save this Thalia girl. She would make a nice toy.
The Two Brothers were translucent humanoid beings with featureless faces. The God of Light was tall, yellow, and muscular with deer antlers on his head. The God of Darkness was lean, purple, and slender and had ram horns on his heads. They both had the eerie aura of power around them, so different from that which accompanied the Olympians.
"Lord Zeus. What do we owe the pleasure of you inviting us?" The older brother asked. He and his brother spent the last several millennia mending their feud on creating different worlds through the galaxy.
"Yeah." Younger brother sent a warning gaze at Ares who was starring at them with too much of a challenge in his eyes. The god of War frowned at that, but he looked at his father instead.
"We have a problem that we hoped you could solve." Zeus started, completely forgetting what good manners were. God of Darkness wanted to punish him or at least outright refuse because of the lack of respect, but his brother stopped him. With a gesture of a hand, God of Light encouraged the king of Olympus to continue. Zeus summoned a crib with a young boy inside. He was sleeping soundly and looked so peaceful. "The boy is a... leftover from the affair my brother had." This earned a grumble from Poseidon and chuckle from the God of Darkness.
"And what is it to us? You have this camp to take care of demigods."
"There is a prophecy predicting that a son of one of three brothers might raze Olympus." Athena started. "And the boy is too strong for his own good. Without help, he will be easily found by monsters or worse enemies and be turned against us. No mortal on earth can protect him and he cannot go to the camp."
"I see." The older brother thought the information over. "I assume you want us to take him to the Remnant, correct?"
"Yes. I want to give my son at least a fair chance in life." Poseidon looked at the two foreign gods.
"Fine." This surprised everyone, including the younger brother. He did not expect the God of Light to agree so quickly. "But I have a condition: you," He pointed at Poseidon, "will owe us a favor."
"I accept this." The god of the sea nodded in agreement.
"So can I now go see my son for some pain medicine?" Apollo finally spoke, still in a very high-pitched voice.
Captain James Ironwood had a really bad day. Mantle was yet again attacked by grim and their defense systems failed to stop a large amount of Grim, all because several close-minded humans interrupted peaceful Fanus protests. Security forces were unable to stop the clash and both activists and radicals turned to violence. In turn, it attracted a large amount of Grimm. The young captain was placed in charge of dealing with them, but his forces barely managed to kill all the monsters. Even deployment of Atlassian Knights-10 was not that helpful, but it did lower the casualties. Sill, the robots were far from useful. Their main advantage were numbers, but it only worked to recompense for some flaws. The aim was the most prominent one.
Right now James was trying to help deal with the aftermath. His subordinates were moving the wounded to medical bullheads while he inspected the casualties. Walking through the street, he suddenly heard a cry in the back alley. Immediately, he rushed there to help. It might have been some remaining Grimm. There was also another, darker option. Very often during Grimm attacks, people took advantage of the chaos. Robberies, assaults, murders all accompanied the attacks. It sickened James that instead of uniting in the face of common threat people chose to still spite one another.
He entered the narrow alley to see the source of the crying. As he walked with his gun drawn a shadow jumped at him. Without thinking, Captain fired and small Beowulf disintegrated before his eyes. He looked around to check if there is any more Grimm, but he did not find any. What he did find was the body of a woman with a child next to her. She was gravely wounded, but she still desperately tried to reach for the boy. Suddenly, James' mind clouded for a moment before he gave another look to a woman. He recognized her.
"Sally!" The name came to his mind in an instant. Memories of their short affair two years ago flooded his mind. He was still only a private back then. He lost his friend in one of the Grimm raids and he went to a bar for a drink. Probably he would get himself completely wasted that night if she didn't come to him. She talked to him and helped him cope. They met several times after that, but finally, they drifted apart after he was promoted to Sergeant and later Captain.
"Ja... James..." She spoke weakly. Blood was pouring out of her mouth. "This..." She weakly pointed to a boy. "is Perseus... He... He... is..." She moved her lips, but no sound came out of her mouth.
"Wait here. I am calling help." He activated his scroll and began the call. "This is Captain James Ironwood. I found a gravely wounded citizen in section 3C-15. She is bleeding profoundly and require immediate medical assistance. I repeat, immediate medical assi..." He didn't finish because she managed to grasp his leg with surprising strength. She seemed to have new energy flow through her.
"No. I am... too late for me... Take care for Perseus... He is your... You are his father... Protect him." Those were her final words. Captain Ironwood did not need any special tech to know that she died. Slowly, he walked to the crying boy. He noticed that the child was no older than one and a half - around nine months after the time James and Sally met. Then, he looked into his deep sea-green eyes that resembled his own so much. The same eyes, the same raven-black hair, even some of his facial features were similar. He could do a DNA check later, but he did not have too much doubt. Sally would not lie to him about thing like that. He picked the crying boy up and hugged him. His metal parts easily lifted and supported the weight. With his other hand, he caressed the unruly hair of his son.
"There there. Everything will be okay. Father is here. I will take care of you now..."
In the throne room, far away from that particular alley, in that particular city of Mantle, on that particular continent of Solitas, on that particular planet of Remnant, gods watched the whole ordeal. Twelve Olympians and two foreign Gods in silence guided the actions of Mist, which changed subtle details. Like the color of a certain captain's eyes to match those of a child, or his memories about the woman he met. The ideas slowly took place in his memory, with his mind adding the backstory to them. Nobody would ever know the truth. The fact that this was a scheme of gods, the fact that Sally Jackson was never really there, and that she died in the car crash. Nobody would ever know the fact that Perseus Ironwood was in fact Percy Jackson, the son of Poseidon.
Or maybe someone would know. Maybe in time, Percy would prove to be different from other citizens of Remnant. Semblance and Aura could cover up some nuances, but he was still a demigod. And he still had a soul of a true hero. He would face many challenges before he could find happiness if he ever did. Creatures of Grimm were just as relentless as monsters on Earth, but there were many people trained to fight them on Remnant. None of the gathered gods knew all the secrets the future would hold, but one in particular paid close attention to the whole ordeal. On that day, Poseidon made a silent oath: to be there and watch his son. Even if he could not interfere, he would pay attention to his life. He would cheer with him and pain with him. He would try his best, even if he could not interfere, to at least know what was to be known.
A/N Welp. Shorter chapter. In theory, I could continue, but it seemed like a perfect spot to finish it.
New story. Now few organization matters:
- This story will feature: some OC, canon divergence, different villains, Papa Ironwood
- Adam Taurus: he was canonically too young to serve as big bad for this, so I decided that if he is not a beast, I might as well rework him into a protagonist. Instead of being spite, he will be the same age as Blake, still idealistic and passionate, not yet entirely disillusioned. Why? Because I can't remove him completely without hurting Blake's character and he won't work as a villain for my plans.
- Percy being OOC: Many of stories that follow Orphaned Percy idea tend to make him him OOC and remove what makes him Percy, effectively turning him into OC that shares a name. I will do my best not to do this. Sure, there will be some things different, but I will try to keep him as close to his character as I can. (At least until the proper RWBY plot influence him.)
I do not have a regular updates. I write when I have time and feel like it, but usually at least 50k words a month is my minimum. I am still in the process of finding a Beta for this story. already have one volunteer, but nothing is yet decided so if you want to offer your help, I will still be glad.