First of all I would like to thank dogbiscut1967 for giving me a suggestion for the story. I hope you don't mind that I added my own little twist to it and how you suggested it. Also I want to say that Serena may seem OCC, but she was only in the series for brief moments at a time. From what I've read she is a nice girl, still a daughter of Aphrodite (you can't take that out of her) so she loves clothing and fashion. I see her as someone who is bubbly, smart (though she can be manipulated *glare accusingly at Luke*) I see her as someone who is nice to everyone and she really wants to make people happy. If I made her out of character I'm sorry, but I have her time in the books and the Demigod diaries to go off of. I'm hoping that all of you are enjoying the story and that you keep reading and reviewing!
I do not own Percy Jackson all rights belong to Rick Riordan
Percy didn't understand why Selena was gushing after he had come out of the bathroom in the new clothing, it wasn't like they were anything special. She had just given him a pair of blue jeans, a navy blue shirt, and a dark green army jacket. He nearly lost his hearing when he heard the daughter of Aphrodite exclaim that she had out done herself. With a duck of his head, Percy tried not to blush as Selena went on and on about how handsome he looked. She kind of sounded like his mother when he had managed to scrape up a good enough grades to make it to high school.
"You clean up well." She told him and then looked to Annabeth, "What do you think Annabeth?"
The daughter of Athena eyed him carefully as she walked closer to him. She placed a finger under his chin and made him lift his head up. Percy swallowed hard as she reached over his shoulders and grabbed the collar of the jacket. Annabeth folded the fabric down neatly so it wouldn't be sticking upright. As soon as she had finished, Annabeth took three steps back.
"There, now he looks proper." She turned on her heel and began to walk briskly out of the room. "Let's get him to Beckendorf so we can start his training."
Percy followed the two girls out of the room, it felt like it had taken forever just for Selena to get him looking 'just right'. Was this what girls did every morning? If so, it was just another reason he was grateful to be a boy. They walked down the hallway, there weren't many people wandering about like there had been the first time he had woken up. Many were either suited with armor and weapons or they were just showing off abilities they had to one another. He watched as one pretty and tall Asian girl whispered into the ear of a burly looking boy holding a guitar, the boy suddenly began to sing to her before he gave her a kiss.
"Eric!" A hurt voice shrieked. Percy watched as a small girl with coco brown hair and watery blue eyes. She slapped the boy with such force that he was nearly knocked off of his feet. "How could you?"
She ran off before Eric could even answer. He tore away from the Asian girl and ran after the other one shouting apologies and pleading for her to let him explain. Percy felt bad that the girl had to watch her boyfriend cheat on her, he didn't like it when girls cried. It reminded him of his mom when she had gotten into fights with Gabe. She usually managed to lock Percy in his room so he wouldn't intervene.
"Ugh...Drew's doing it again." Annabeth growled. "I thought you told your siblings things were bad enough without them boyfriend snatching."
Serena frowned, "I did, I explained that we were supposed to guard love, not tare it apart."
Percy could see Serena's sister, Drew, smiling with false sweetness while she waved at the fleeing couple. She reminded him of Nancy Bobfits, he was sure he wouldn't get along with her, and it didn't seem like Annabeth liked Drew either. Drew looked around until her eyes landed on him, the smile on her face turned feral like a cat. She began to strut forward looking like a model, Percy almost felt as if his head was swimming. He couldn't understand what was happening as his vision seemed to be tunneling onto Drew, the feral smile she had turned sweet.
"Snap out of it, Percy." Annabeth demanded and placed her hand on his shoulder, her voice cut through the magic.
"Oh, don't be so harsh Annie-girl." Drew spoke slyly as she eyed Percy up and down. "He just knows a real girl when he sees one. So, handsome, where are you off to?"
"The forge." Selena answered for him. "You wouldn't like it Drew, a hot and sweaty and smelly place won't be good for your makeup."
Drew rolled her eyes, "Whatever...I'll see you around cutie."
Annabeth growled and grabbed Percy by the wrist while marching off. "I really hate that girl."
"What just happened?" Percy asked, he no longer felt weird like he had when looking at Drew.
"Oh sweetie, she was manipulating you." Serena pat him on the head as if he were a child who had said something silly and naïve. "Children of Aphrodite are able to change affection for the opposite gender and convince people to do anything. Now that you know, hopefully you'll be able to fight it."
Percy blinked and remembered the night before, the strange urge to do as Serena asked. He opened his mouth to ask her about it, but the all knowing smile on her face answered his question. Serena had manipulated him and the other three boys into going to bed. She must have used whatever magic she had to influence them. Percy wasn't sure how he felt about it, but since she hadn't told him to do anything stupid he shouldn't be too upset.
"The forge shouldn't be too much farther." Annabeth told him. "I'm not sure what your weapon should be, long range or melee. Have you ever shot a bow or arrow before?"
"Uh...not really. Gabe said we never had enough money for anything." The son of Poseidon muttered bitterly. "Yet somehow we had enough for him to buy beer and a case of cigars."
"Your step father sounds like a pig." Serena frowned. "Let me guess he 'gave' you and your mother a clothes budget too?"
Percy remembered how often he had gone to school or out with holey clothes because Gabe had spent too much money gambling at his poker games. Even the clothing he had come to Olympus were a few years old, which would have been fine if Percy hadn't hit a growth spurt, they had fit him rather snugly compared to the new outfit that Serena had given him. Percy had forgotten what it was like to wear clothes that actually fit. Serena suddenly ripped him from Annabeth's grasp and pulled him in for a hug.
"Oh gods," She squeezed him tightly. Percy could feel his cheeks burning, he had never been held so close by a pretty girl before. "you poor, poor boy. Well no more, I'm going to make sure you have a closet full of nice and new clothes."
"T...Thanks." Percy hated the high pitch squeak that came to his voice. It only added to his embarrassment, and people were staring at them. 'Oh, there Serena goes'. If Percy was to say he met a real life Disney princess, Serena would be it. She had the beauty and kindness and every other personality aspect in tact. "C...can you let me go now?"
Once Serena had finally let him go, the three of them finished their journey to Beckendorf's forge. It was a large room, so large that Percy didn't know if he could ever find the end. Tall racks were placed around it like bookshelves, but instead of books they were full of bronze and gold weapons and armor. It was as if a museum had gone and thrown up all of its Greek and Roman weapons. In the center of the room was the place where the metal was molded into what it was supposed to be.
Percy could hear Beckendorf slam his large mallet against the fiery orange piece of metal with a rhythm as steady as a heart beat. The other teen glistened with sweat as he focused on his project. Beckendorf wore a rubber apron over a white shirt and he had large goggles covering his eyes. He was working so intently that Percy didn't even think he noticed them. The son of Poseidon would have spoken up and gotten his attention, but something glinted in the corner of his eye and caught Percy's attention.
It was a small rolling rack that was loaded with so many weapons that it was surprising that it hadn't fallen over. Out of all the shiny weapons that had captured his interest, Percy found himself drawn to the trident which sat in the center. It was bronze like every other weapon, it had a weird power coming off it that seemed to call to him. Slowly Percy reached for it, but someone smacked his hand away before he could grab the trident. He had expected it to be Annabeth, but Beckendorf had been the one to stop him. With the goggles on his face Percy couldn't tell if the other teen was angry or not.
"Those are for the gods," He told Percy. "I'd hate for them to smite you because you touched their weapons."
"These belong to the gods?" Percy asked.
Beckendorf laughed, "Yeah, they wanted me to clean them up. My dad, Hephaestus, was too busy."
"Are you too busy to get Percy armor, Charlie?" Selena asked very sweetly. Beckendorf moved his goggles to the top of his head and looked at the daughter of Aphrodite.
"No, I can get his armor made, though he is going to have to borrow some old armor in the meantime."
Beckendorf reached over Percy's head for some beat up breast plates and shoulder pads and then handed them to the son of Poseidon. After giving Percy another brief glance he also grabbed a helmet with what looked like a blue Mohawk. Percy must have looked like he'd need protection for his head. Beckendorf gave another chuckle and placed the helmet on the dark haired teen's head. It was almost too big for Percy.
"If Annabeth is going to be training you, your going to need this." Percy looked over to the daughter of Athena who was smiling innocently at him. "Now let's get you're measurements."
Beckendorf worked expertly around him, measuring the width of Percy's chest and waist. Serena babbled on and on about things that Charlie could do to make Percy's armor more stylish. It was hard for the son of Poseidon to stay still as Beckendorf finished the measurements. Just as he was about to ask Percy what weapon he wanted, a large girl came stomping into the room with a spear in her hand and a sword strapped to her belt. She had stringy brown hair, brown eyes, and an attitude around her meaner than Gabe on a drunken night. Percy grunted as she pushed him with enough force to slam him into one of the shelves.
"Beckendorf, maimer needs polishing." She demanded as she shoved her weapon into the buff teen's chest, "Make it snappy."
"Please." Percy muttered to himself. She was rude like he thought.
The girl's pig eyes turned onto him, "What did you say runt? I don't think I've ever seen you around here."
"Clarisse, this is Percy." Annabeth explained as she walked to his side. "He's new. Percy this is Clarisse La Rue, daughter of Ares."
"That explains the smell." He blurted out without meaning to.
If looks could kill Percy would have been a bloody mess on the ground. Clarisse's nose flared like an angry bull's ready to charge, her face was so red that Percy thought she'd pass out from anger. In one swift motion she grabbed the front of Percy's shirt and pulled him in close enough for him to feel the heat of her breath hit him in the face. His helmet slid off of his head and clanked on the floor. Percy tried not to think about how often he had found himself face to face with someone he irritated.
"What did you say Prissy?" She demanded and then began to drag Percy from the weapons room. "I think I should teach you a lesson."
Annabeth grabbed the back of Percy's shirt in an attempt to stop Clarisse from taking him away, but she seemed to be losing the tug of war and was being pulled along with him. "Come on Clarisse, he hasn't even had any formal training yet, and he doesn't have a weapon either."
"Then I suggest you grab him a weapon." The daughter of Ares gave another great tug and pulled Percy from Annabeth's grasp. Percy stumbled along as they left the armory. "Besides, I'm the best sword fighter here, who better to teach the runt."
Annabeth stood at the entrance of Beckendorf's forge with an annoyed expression on her face. Percy gave her a grin as he looked back at her, "I'll be fine, I've gotta make my own rep."
A strange, bewildered expression crossed her features as she watched Clarisse take him further away. Percy felt a little nervous when the daughter of Athena finally disappear from his sight. He then looked back at the girl who continued to carry him along almost like he was a rag doll. It was kind of humiliating because people they passed by would point and whisper to each other. Eventually the two were picking up a group of followers.
"Looks like you beating is going to be public Prissy." Clairesse sneered. "So I guess I won't maim you too badly."
"That's comforting." Percy rolled his eyes as they reached what looked like a large high school football field. It was filled with heavily packed beach sand, though he could see rusty spots in the light brown sand. He was pretty sure that they were the fading remains of blood. On either side of the field were large marble risers lined with torches and where they had come in at was a huge, pearl white salt water fountain with all of the gods and goddesses carved into it. The place would be beautiful if he weren't about to get in a bloody fight.
Many other kids and even adults were filing in and finding a place to sit on the risers. All were chattering excitably about the impending battle. Percy wondered if they'd stop her if she got too into killing him. Annabeth, Serena, and Beckendorf, who was hauling the rack of god's weapons with him, stood off by the entrance to the Arena. The daughter of Athena's face flushed with relief when she looked at Percy, she had some armor and a sword in her arms. She rushed towards him and immediately went to work strapping the gear onto him.
"Annabeth," Percy tried to protest, but she plopped an overly large helmet on his head.
"She's not like me, Clairsse isn't afraid to go for the chest or head." The blond told him as she straitened the breast plate. "If you watch her I'm sure you can find a strategy to at least not get killed."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence." He teased and picked up the sword. It didn't feel quite right to him, almost like it was too light.
Annabeth looked at him with her sharp grey eyes, "She wasn't kidding when she said she's the best fighter here, Percy. Clairsse is also the most ruthless."
"Alright, I'll be careful." He assured her.
"If you guys are done flirting, I've got a murder to begin." The daughter of Ares shouted. The groups in the risers gave out a loud cheer. Annabeth gave him another concerned glance before she returned to the fountain where Beckendorf and Serena stood. "Now, I'll tell you the one rule of sparing with me, try not to scream too much when I'm carving into you."
With a cry Clairsse charged, her sword hovering high over her head. Percy hesitate for a moment before he finally raised his blade to meet her's just fast enough to stop her from cutting his skull in half. He hadn't kept her at bay for long. She let out a snicker and slammed her elbow into his still sore nose. The helmet Annabeth had put on his head fell to the sand and blood gushed onto his shirt. As he stumbled backwards, Clairsse swung her leg around and kicked him in the chest. He grunted and tumbled off of his feet.
"OHHH!" the audience called.
In one swift motion Clairsse knocked Percy's sword from his hands. She smiled in a cruel way that reminded Percy of Gabe when he had locked him in the closet for the fun of it. "Pick it up, I'll give you another chance."
Though he didn't trust her, the dark haired teen didn't have much of a choice. He reached out for the sword, but Clairsse stopped him and slashed his arm open. Serena screamed somewhere behind him, shouting for Beckendorf to stop the fight. The daughter of Ares swung at him again as she tried to cut his face. Percy had been quick enough to avoid getting a new scar on his chin.
"Having troubles there Prissy?" she taunted and tried to cut him again.
Percy quickly got back to his feet and backed away from her each time she swung, getting farther and farther from his sword. It would be impossible for him to get past her relentless attack. He was sure that he was toast, his arm was sticky with blood and he could feel himself becoming lightheaded. It was almost hopeless, until he remembered Beckendorf, specifically the weapons rack that the other boy had brought in. Ducking from another blow, Percy turned and ran towards the small group whom hadn't come to watch him get killed.
The look that had crossed the darker skinned teen's face told Percy that Beckendorf had figured out what he was planning. Percy was too fast for the buff teen, he snatched up the trident. An almost overwhelming power seemed to rush through him when he touch its metal base. He found himself distracted by how enormous the energy was as he walked farther in front of the fountain. Every one had gone silent, they no longer were hollering and chanting for Clairsse to finish him. Even Beckendorf had stopped trying to reclaim the trident.
It seemed as if Clairsse was the only one who hadn't noticed the sudden stillness in the room. She gave one last charge and knocked him over into the fountain. Percy could feel the water rushing around him. He no longer felt as clumsy or sore. It was almost as if he was supercharged with electricity. Percy got to his feet, somehow he had managed to keep a hold on the trident as he fell. Clairsse was walking around an calling to the audience, talking about how pathetic 'Prissy' was.
Percy felt so angry and annoyed. What made this girl think she was better than him? He was soaking wet, that didn't bother Percy, she had done everything to kill him, and now she was acting as if she were the greatest person in the world. He hadn't thought about what he was doing when he pulled his arm that held the trident back, Percy took a moment to aim and then he threw it with all of his might. Percy wouldn't have really sent the three pronged weapon through her head, but seeing her drop her sword when the air rushed by her ear and down in front of her was more than satisfying.
Her distraction gave him a chance to leap from the fountain and after his own discarded sword. Clairsse tried to get her weapon back in hand before he had snuck up on her, but it was too late. She turned in time for her to see his sword hovering inches from her neck. The sneer on her face could melt ice, but the manic confidence that flooded his system made him unafraid of the daughter of Ares. She tried to reach for her weapon, Percy saw this and knocked it away before she could have a good hold on it.
"I believe we're done here." He told her and pulled the trident from its place in the sand. The crowd had long since forgotten their awe when he had held it the first time.
"You win this round, Prissy." She muttered. "But I hold a grudge, and you just got lucky."
Clairsse stomped off of the Arena, a few girls broke away from the crowd on the risers and followed her out of the room. Beckendorf, Selena, and Annabeth all came rushing up to him. Annabeth was looking at him as if he had fallen from the sky and Selena gave a squeal of delight as she wrapped him in a hug. Beckendorf on the other hand didn't look happy as he ripped the trident from Percy's hand.
"You're lucky that Poseidon is a cool god and didn't kill you on the spot." The teen chided and took the trident back to the weapon's rack.
Serena let Percy go and tried to fix his hair damp hair, "Oh, he's not really mad at you. He just takes his work very seriously."
"Why don't I take you to get your wounds cleaned?" Annabeth took his sword and began to lead him out of the Arena. She looked down at the arm Clairsse had cut open. "I could have sworn this looked worse than it does."
This chapter was so long. I hope you enjoyed it. Please review and tell me what you thought of this chapter. Riptide will make its appearance, in later chapters.