Chapter 22: Let Sleeping Dragon Lie

Words: 3,682

Recap: It didn't so much as surprise me as it annoyed me to find the weirdo, Heckler, was threatening a bunch of 12 years old to do the dirty work of finding this legendary Lost Treasure. No. What shock all of us the most was the fact after everything we've been through, what we only managed to find was a stinkin' empty room with no treasure in sight.

.

.

.

or is there?

WARNING! This is my first time using it. I don't know if this chapter constitutes as triggering, but there's a bit of graphic violence. But I thought I should put it up since Dark Percy made a bit of a peek.

Well, to say nothing would be misleading.

Technically, there were no gold, or diamonds, or any of the treasury-kind on sight.

Just an empty room with dusty stones and many webbed corners enough to make Annabeth shiver from the sight, and I'm more surprised that there are spiders who could survive long down here. A table altar was in the middle of the room, but even that was devoid of any signs of treasure being here. The only thing in the room was a giant oil painting of the Four Founders standing regally like the role model they were supposed to be on top of a starking red dragon filling almost half of the picture while sleeping on top of a mountain of gold and colored stone jewelry, Hogwarts Castle decorating the background.

It was a great artwork that art curator would undoubtedly willing to fistfight as its handle, not to mention its historical value. Anyone can make a fortune out of it once revealed of its origin. But it was certainly far from our expectation of what Treasure of Hogwarts could be, especially Heckler's reaction. If you imagined him to be stomping his foot, wand sparking, hand flailing not unlike a toddler screaming denial from what he wants. Congratulations! You got his character in the bag. I kept a hand out around the others so they would know not to get close to the crazy guy with a wand as he kept his ranting.

"No… no, no, nononoNONONONONONONONO! This isn't possible, there were signs, there were clues, it was supposed to be here!" He crouched, and his crooked nails tried to dig and pushed the stones as if it would open up another secret entrance. Heckler began throwing out spells I didn't recognize, not sure if it was because I never heard of it or his spells were slurred as Gabe would do during one of his drunken nights.

"This is the Lost Treasure? I thought it'd be something… you know… treasury?"

"Someone must have been here before us and took all the treasure for themselves."

"Wouldn't we have heard if anyone spontaneously became rich or found the Lost Treasure?"

"Uh…" the now freed hostage, Remus, turned unsurely between the ranting Heckler and his bickering gang, "Shouldn't we try getting out of here?"

We all exchanged glances, unsure of what they'll do next because despite the circumstances, they had been just as expectant to find the Lost Treasure and to only be greeted with an empty room and a fancy oil painting certainly put them in a funk.

Severus, the sensible one of us all, nodded, "I agree. With Heckler being erratic like this, there's a chance he'd try throwing his aggression on us."

We discreetly nodded in agreement and was about to turn our backs when I spotted Lily rooted beside one of the giant doors. Curiously, I gazed up at the plaque nailed on it, reminding me a bit of the Goblin Bank, and their own Warning Plaque on their door. Here, it said:

Heart of Greed

Beware of gold

Do not be afraid

Those Heart of Gold

A true Gryffindor

you prove of mold

Then learn our maxim

To treasures hoard

But of hero's birth

Worthy of my sword

Or face bitter death

Should you spurn my word

"Great, another riddle." Makes me wonder if this isn't called the Sword of Ravenclaw. Inwardly, I complained but the words did tickle something in my brain. Probably the logical side I often ignored. Unfortunately, I had said it loud enough to get Heckler's attention. He pushed Lily aside, roughly enough to knock her down, examining the words way too quickly to even read it properly. I came and pulled her to my side, but I wasn't fast enough before a wand was pointed at my face.

"What does the plaque mean? Tell me!"

I gulped, trying to make my voice calm, keeping him from becoming trigger happy as I told him truthfully, "I don't know."

But of course, that only seemed to push him further as I felt a deep pressure to my neck. Though it may look threatening, it's anything but when it doesn't really help to wave a spell on his part. Still, better be safe than sorry.

"Don't lie to me!" he roared, "Tell me what it means!"

"You can threaten me all day, Heckler, but the answer isn't going to change."

"Oh, I think I can change your mind very easily." Then the pressure's gone, and he pointed his wand away and uttered a single word. A single spell.

"Crucio."

It was chaos. Suddenly the boys jumped with hand outstretched as if they could reach to stop the inevitable from happening. "No," slipped out, but nothing could have prevented the excruciating screams from Lily as she convulsed on the floor. There was nothing I could do as I watched in muted horror while she writhed and screeched as if there was no end to her pain.

By the time she stopped, her face had been wet from sobs and holding on to Remus like a lifeline. I didn't know how long it took for him to stop (the screaming sounded it went on forever), it was enough time for the boys to hold up their wands, yet not enough time before the first word of a spell could shape on their mouths. "One sshound out of any of you, and I may conjure a worssh spell than the Cruciatussh Curssh, can you bet her life on that?"

That managed to make them frozen stiff, but not me. Faster than the Professor could blink, I had Riptide out and had it under his jugular. I'm surprised I hadn't beheaded this piece of trash when all I thought of was Lily's cry of pain and the smug gios enós skýlou looking down on her as if finding some sick amusement in watching a slug writhing after he put it high on salt. More than anything, I wished I stab the old coot and let him feel the blood sipping out of his body, twisting my sword so he would squirm and scream as he felt at least half of what Lily was feeling. Because why do I have to let him get away with this? Why can't people leave me alone for once? Why do I have to watch my friends getting hurt. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME?!

"They've told me about you, Perseus Jackson," Heckler said, making my hackles at the mention of my full name. "That sshord of yours is sshaid to be made of Celesshtial Bronze, a one of a kind metal usshed to kill beasshes. They happen to mention also how they are ineffective against humans."

My grip on my sword tightened at the image of wringing the little snake's neck because he's right. My instinct took me to use my long life partner when I should have pulled out my wand instead.

"Fine," I spatted out, "I'll figure out this stupid riddle for you."

I capped Riptide back into a pen, and without much choice strode toward the painting, the likelihood of where the last piece of the puzzle be. I glanced back, but Heckler was still pointing it at the kids, and I was in no position to risk their wellbeing. I had to commend the boys for still holding up their wands. I took a lungful of breath and kept a tight lid on all my fear, hate, and all those negative junks as I shoved it down to the back of my brain.

Now, the only way we survive this unscathed (which I highly doubt) may be in solving the plaque. Being a hero and having my share of prophecies, I know a thing or two about riddles and rhymes. It's not even the hardest I've had. So the first four lines are basically warning for those seeking riches instead of noble intention or the like. While the last four lines describe unwanted death to those who do not heed his words before and those of… hero's birth? Is he talking about Half-Blood? That doesn't seem consistent with the fourth line. So… a Chosen One perhaps? Someone destined to be a hero?

See. I'm getting the hang of this stuff. I might as well have a Ph.D. for riddle ciphering.

There's just one tiny problem though.

It was hard admitting to it, but it took me staring awkwardly at the painting for a good full minute before sheepishly looking back at the group, "Urm, so can anyone tell me what maxim means?"

Despite the seriousness, there was no holding back the exasperation Sev groaned out, the giggle Lily slipped in, or the 'are you an idiot?' face Heckler made.

Remus was kind enough to answer despite still scared, "It...it generally means a saying or a...a short statement, I think? I'm not sure how to describe it."

"You mean like a catchphrase or slogan?"

"Exactly!"

"You're tesshting my patient! How issh thissh any important?"

I gave the wackjob a flat stare, "Do you want me to find the treasure or not?" Honestly, can you believe how impatient this guy is? It's not like the answer would be waved around on my face like a school slogan— My mind made screeched to a halt, like a car you've made a harsh break after belatedly realizing there was a tree you've only just recognized was in front you.

No.

No way.

It couldn't be that easy.

Could it?

I looked back at the painting with a slacking jaw, thinking my own conclusion isn't possible. But then I remembered the tickled pear the leads to the kitchen and thought what if it is possible? So edging closer to the painting, a hand hesitantly came up to brush against the part of the Dragon's feet. Praying nothing bad happens (more than it already has) and that I'm right, I wiggled my finger against the painting like someone tickling.

Then I waited with drumming heart and dry lips. I didn't wait long before the desired reaction came as the dragon's face began to snort a heap of smoke, its body quivering all over before began to open its yellowish-green reptile eyes, its neck fully elongated before turning its slit eyes at me.

"Jackson, what did you do?!"

"I did what any good Gryffindor would do when they hear the school motto," I yelled back at James, "I tickled the sleeping dragon."

Like a 3D screen, it moved as if the dragon's head was about to jump out of the painting, it's giant snout was enough to make me backed away in haste, in case it feels I might be a good substitute for a cheeseburger. Instead, the dragon did what all dragons are good for. It roared.

The room shook from the force of its sound. Debris and dust fell off, and we all struggled to keep ourselves upright. Yet, I took this a chance. Turning around, I had my wand up and shouted, "Expeliarmus!" Heckler was sent flying, his back hitting the wall, and then he slid down to a prone form at the same time the small earthquake stopped. I blinked a couple of times at his unconscious form since I had intended to send his wand flying instead, but shrugged carelessly since it didn't matter anyway, "Great, that takes care of things. Let's go find a professor and see if we could lock him up for good."

"Urm… Percy…"

"What?" I glanced at the others, looking no closer to moving away. They seemed awestruck simultaneously, and I glanced where their gazes were glued, and my jaw slackened. Remember the pile of gold the dragon was sleeping upon? Yeah, turns out it wasn't the dragon threatened to break out of the painting, it was the treasure. Spilling out of the frame were the trickling gold coins before rubies, diamonds, crowns, and crystals began to flood past the room, through the door, and filling throughout the hallway with hills and hills of untold riches, even our feet were buried within the pile of gold.

"This is…"

"Yeah…"

"You said it."

None can adequately express their feelings. I already experienced my own money-shock from my Dad's vault, and he didn't have this much money. Which caused me to raise suspicion at the treasure itself. I'm sure Dad has a lot more wealth than just in Gringotts, but what does it take for a man to have more riches than a god? When I spotted Peter's hand reaching out at one of the fancy necklaces with a giant jewel on it, I cried out, "No!" The smallest Gryffindor jumped at my shout. Hiding hands on his back, like a kid caught hiding a cookie jar. "Don't touch it, didn't you read? 'Beware of gold' you don't know if there might be traps here to give us a 'bitter death.'" My grave tone was enough to snap them out from mesmerizing the shiny stuff, egging them to step back in wariness.

"How are we going to find the sword then?"

Curiously, my eyes glanced back at the painting, and surely the sword was gone from Godric's hand, so it must be here somewhere. Yet, I still can't see how the clues got anything to do with the sword. What does Godric actually mean by "Hero's birth" anyway? Is it really about Half-Blood? Is that it? Do I have to draw blood or something? Because the last time I did that I almost caused the apocalypse and I'm not ready for that.

"Look," Lily suddenly pointed out at the end of the hallway, "it's over there!" We turned to where she was pointing and gaped at the solely silver thing in the room at the top of mount Gold. I blinked a few times to make sure I wasn't seeing things because how the Holy Hera's Cow did we miss that? That thing is the only odd one out!

None questioned it though. Particularly James, who was the first one to move, dashing forward with a massive leap and leaving us in his dust. "See ya suckers, the swords of Gryffindor is going to be on the hand of a True Gryffindor!"

The Mop Head barely got the first step to climb when someone got behind and yanked him back before climbing up ahead of him. "First one gets dibs to swing the sword!" cackled Sirius.

"Hey, no fair! You called yourself a Lion?!"

"All's fair in love and war."

"Oh, you're so on!"

The hallway was filled with childish glee as the two rowdy ruff boys flailed around on a hill made of trinkets and coins while keeping each other from going ahead, which only got them stuck in a standstill. Idiots… and yet…seeing them being so carefree, I couldn't help but chuckle at their antics. I glance at the ones left behind; Peter was biting his thumb, his whole body vibrate like he is keeping himself from jumping and joining the race for the sword too, he must be too self-conscious for it if he acted so hesitant. I then turned the level-headed pair, "Why aren't you racing with them?"

Severus scoffed like I needed to even ask, "I'm not even a stinkin' Gryffindor. Obviously, the sword wouldn't choose me or whatever the founder think makes anyone 'worthy' so why would I even waste my breath on it?"

"Honestly? I thought you just like keeping the sword from them."

Sev tilted his head a bit, brows furrowed before saying, "Hold that thought," and went to follow them just to be the little menace he is and I laughed for the childish act he so rarely gave.

I then turned my questioning gaze on Remus, to which he snorted, "Racing against those two knuckleheads? Yeah, I don't want to be a part of that disaster recipe. Besides, if anyone deserves to have the sword, it's them."

While Sirius was grappling with Sev, yanking each other's hair like a pair of mean girls. James was halfway up the gold hill when a stray spell hit his back. "Move aside, Potter. This lady is stepping in." Lily grinned brightly at the boys, as none had expected her being ahead.

I laughed brightly at that, feeling a bit proud for stepping on James' ego, "Please, 5 bucks says she gets the sword first."

"Bucks?"

"I mean quid."

Remus still looked confused.

"...5 knuts?"

"Oh!" Good gods, this term barrier is more of a headache than I realize. Remus hummed in thought, "Make it 10, and you got yourself a bet."

"Done."

As if on cue, Tyche decided to play his game. James burst his speed and soon was neck to neck with her. There were shouts of support from Sirius and Sev, still tangled with each other and competing in volume. My mind eased at the picture of it all, as laughter shouts echoed the vault. It was almost unbelievable that we had our lives at stake less than ten minutes ago. This caused me to raise my guard because things are turning out smoothly. Way smoothly. Suspiciously too smoothly that I just knew in my gut things are about to get worse. If life has taught me anything, is that nothing goes smoothly for a demigod.

It was on the last spurt, the two Gryffindors seemed to leap for the sword when a hand grabbed its hilt and pulled it away from the pair outstretched hands. Heckler had woken up without us knowing, and half climbed the massive pile of gold from the other side.

"Haha! It's mine. Finally, it's all mine!" He cackled loud and clear. His enthusiasm managed to make his words sounded proper than usual. I managed not to throw my hand in the air because of course, he wakes up in time to snatch it under our nose. I'm not even shocked at this point. It would have been warier if life had gone easy on me after all these years.

Everyone was about to take our wands up, but Heckler smiled, having predicted our reaction, "Did you know?" he asked mildly as he raised the sword and dark fog seems to surround the sword, "The Sword of Gryffindor is capable of absorbing the power of those it slays, so anyone aware of Gryffindor having killed a thunderbird would know how to summon its lightning."

Cracks of electricity sparked within its makeshift cloud, and we had to duck before it could strike us down. There were flashing lights and drumming thunder. It was hard to keep track of ourselves not to mention others when you're hiding within the money just like Scrooge McDuck would swim in his money vault.

"Extraordinary," he breathed out, his awe dripping in every syllable and sounded a lot clearer, "so this is the Sword of Gryffindor, finally in the palm of my hand." He started breaking into a mad cackling that reminded me way too much of what a stereotypical cartoon villain never ceased even as the storm calmed. Too drug by his newfound power perhaps. Everyone was cautious enough not to poke their heads out, either that or Lily and Sev was smart enough to keep the pair of the easily excitable Gryffindors in place. Then the Professor stopped abruptly and glanced around the space. His hazel eyes reflected the pile of treasures spread around, and he licked his lips before it stretched with a greedy smile until his unorganized yellow teeth were visible.

"And with this power and gold, there'll be nothing to stop me from ruling the whole country and not that wannabee Dark Lord. Everyone will bow down to me, Jeff Heckler, as their new lord and master!" His monologue would have been concerning if not for the grand way he said his name. I can see why Voldemort would want to change his name (let's face it, there's no sane mother who would name their kid that) because as silly as his name, it's sillier asking anyone to fear a really bland name like him. Apparently, Heckler wasn't done with his dramatics. Sticking his hands on the pile, he fisted a bunch of coins and raised it like a Zeus would do when he's ready to strike with his lightning at his next insipid target. "Everything shall be MINE!"

Suddenly, it felt like someone turned on the mute button. Everything came to a screeching silence. Not the tink-tink sound of coins sliding against one another, the constant surge of beat echoed in my head, or the harsh breathing I exhaled, good news his irritating laugh was gone too, but I was also concerned of what I assumed when things are going FUBAR. The first sound that came was the rumble of the vault that swayed out feet. The gold trembled and jumped from their place. My friends, who had been out of sight, deserted their hiding place in favor of huddling together. Heckler, the jerk, had karma hit him when he fell on his butt and slid down the gold hill without much help.

"What's going on?"

As if to answer him, the gold coins and other types of treasure began to surge in waves. Almost like the waterfall appearance from out the painting, it began to flow into one point in the room. Escalating until it took shape that barely fit the vault. Stout lizard-like legs and long, scaled curled tail at the end made of coins, broad bat-like wings, and a neck with a starting shaped head on the head before it formed into a long snout, wide cat-like eyes, and giraffe horns from an assortment of jewels and treasures.

Lo and behold.

A golden dragon stood before us as if we were ants to be stepped on.

"Percy," Sev started conversationally as if he wasn't starting up at the massive man-made creature with wide, horrified eyes I ever saw him with, "I'm starting to think you should have listened to the school motto and not tickle the sleeping dragon!"

AN: HELLO BELOVED READERS! It's already time for Percy to tackle the climax, finally! You know this is the day before the final exam so I'm getting rid of any distractions. Furthermore, I decided to stop replying my reviewer by PM and continue again with replying through the Author Note instead because it turns out, it's exhausting answering to you guys one at a time and FFN's PM isn't the most comfortable way of communicating. MOREOVER, you guys are awesome reviewers and absolutely nice. My other fic, Rune Master, has most favorites but have fewer comments and more vocally complaining in where I take my story. So I thought I should appreciate this side of the fandom a little bit more, I'll start with the most recent one:

Dauntlessofthesea: I've seen your constant reviews. Thank you so much for the positive feedback. Reviews like that are what keeps me pumped up in writing. Riordan's writing style had always managed to keep me laughing despite the serious situation so for you to find the hilarity yet feeling excited as well is the best praise. I noticed you like my angst. Since this is 7 acts story, the angst will be subtle in the early years before it hit Percy like a sludge hammer. I hope you like this chapter glimpse of Dark Percy. He still has nightmares, but I only show the ones that are relevant to the plot.

nessiemith2012: Underdogs are the best! One of my favorite cliches is the underdog that rises to be a badass and prove everyone wrong.

Kiwi-Iced-Tea: Wow... I... I feel bad for not feeling bad giving you another cliffhanger after this. Thank you for keeping up with my story. I hope to continue to bring you surprises.

Legacyofmorons: *wiping shed tears behind my laptop* Don't worry, I won't stop, I'll never stop.

wilj921: I know right?

raymond49090: That is one of the best praises I've gotten. I certainly try to make Uncle Rick proud. If you're annoyed then, you must hate me on this chapter

Patolemus: *Holding back happy screech* THANK YOU SO MUCH! I'm so so so so happy you love it. Nothing makes a writer happier than a happy reader. I'm saving Percy's sassiness so he would one day do a double-team with McGonagall. I'm still not sure at what circumstances but I will make sure it's glorious!

FolkLuz21: It's never too late to comment! You are my fuel that prevents writer's block from happening. Thank you so much for the nice comment. It makes me feel bad to give you another cliffhanger just after the last one.

Gabriel H. Sapphire: I'm pretty sure I've explained it at some point in my author note from my previous chapter, but since you only been reading the first chapter I doubt you've read it or reading this now. But by the gods, this is 2019! How come someone still comments on a one Trump Joke I wrote it during the shit show in freaking 2016! I thought we've moved on from this! And excuse you! It's not all gods but Athena because she is the God of Wisdom and the mother of George-Freaking-Washington, so of course she cares! Anything that proves the low-intelligence of humankind is an insult to her very being.

coki13566: Thank you for the comment. It's not exactly the Mirror of Erised, but what do you think? Also, I already have special plans for the Golden Trios and all our other favorite HP characters.