Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson, the ATLA universe, or the first 9 ½ chapters. Because Benthatguy did a helluva job, and I wouldn't have ruined the live-action movies.
Previously:
As Percy walked out of range of the bickering soldiers, he started to think about what they had said. He had been starting to feel restless, confined to the castle and the small village next to it. He was 15 now and would turn 16 soon. Piandao had gone out of his way to discreetly procure waterbending scrolls for him to practice with. He had poured over the scrolls, but they could only teach him so much, the rest was his experimentation. He had trained relentlessly over the past year to improve. He could now handle Fat in a duel and give Piandao a run for his money. He was a demigod born for adventure, not to mention as a son of Poseidon he was as restless as the seas, naturally hating to be restrained.
What better way to get out into the world than to be a protector, to guard the little sister of his best friend. Percy made up his mind, when he got back to the castle he would convince Piandao to sponsor him. After all, Piandao was an important noble and he could also request Iroh to do the same in his next message. Percy left town with a smile on his face and a spring in his step. He was ready to finally strike out into the world, to use his training for good.
( - )
"No."
"But you haven't even let me finish yet!" Percy whined to Piandao.
"Any idea that starts with you entering a tournament with firebenders is a bad one," Piandao replied curtly.
"But I can win it! I know I can, I'm already better than Fat and I can even challenge you!"
"Fat is much past his prime, and while your swordsmanship skills are excellent, you will need more than that to fight firebenders in an open arena."
"What about my bending?" Percy blurted out suddenly. Piandao finally turned his gaze from his painting, leveling his student with a fierce glare.
"In all the years you have been in my care, that has to be the single dumbest thing you have ever said. Maybe the dumbest thing I have ever heard." He said with cold neutrality, not giving away the barest hint at what he was going to do.
"But I'll have you and Iroh vouching for me. With the support of the Dragon of the West and the greatest swords master in the Fire Nation, no one can question my loyalty." Percy reasoned carefully to Piandao.
"Fire Lord Ozai can and will challenge it. Odds are you will be executed as a Water Tribe spy as soon as you bend." A spark of irritation showed through his usual calm facade.
"Master I can't just stay in this castle for the rest of my life!" Percy pleaded, desperation clear in his voice. He needed to have something more to focus on than just endlessly training.
Piandao could understand this, he too had a bit of a wild youth, but he was older than Percy when he left home. Percy was just a teenager, even if years of training had caused him to grow. Percy was no longer the scrawny boy he had been when they first met. His constant training, coupled with the ridiculous amounts of food the boy ate had caused him to grow rapidly. He stood around 5'10 and weighed about 155 lbs. With his broad shoulders and messy black hair that obscured his eyes occasionally, Percy could easily pass as someone older than just 15 years old.
But that wasn't the main reason Piandao was reluctant to let Percy try this. He had grown quite attached to the boy. Piandao had never had children of his own, and Percy seemed to be exactly that to him. The son he never had, even if Percy had only been in his care for less than 3 years. The young swordsman reminded him of himself when he was at that age. Wild, impulsive, and desperate to see the world. He knew if he didn't do something to appease Percy, he would only do something reckless out of his frustration. Piandao recognized that he had been no better when he was a teenager looking back.
Piandao sighed deeply, "I understand more than you know Percy. This tournament is not for some time. I will send Iroh a letter asking his opinion as he knows his brother best." The noble conceded reluctantly. "But you must swear that whatever decision Iroh and I come to you will listen." He added before Percy could get too excited. It did little to dampen the demigod's newfound hope.
"Thank you thank you thank you!" Percy rushed forward grabbing the surprised man in a massive hug before rushing outside to practice his swordsmanship and bending.
Master Piandao watched with a smile on his lips as Percy dashed around the training yard, destroying training dummies at a rate that rivaled even the elite firebending squads. His smile quickly faded when he thought of the situation that he was in. While Percy was young, he was the most naturally gifted swordsman Piandao had ever seen. His skills were still progressing and he could challenge him any day of the week. And that was without counting in his remarkable waterbending. The water seemed less like a tool, and more like a living thing serving him. It was a crazy thought but Piandao had met master waterbenders before and seen their displays. For them, the water was like his sword, a tool they had mastered. But for Percy, the water seemed like a living thing. If Percy could think it, then it seemed the water would do it too.
Percy was not weak, but that's what worried him. He was worried about what would happen if Ozai got his hooks into him. Iroh had told him much about the second son of Azulon. He was cruel, cunning, and would do anything to gain more power. If the Fire Lord saw just how much of a prodigy Percy was, then he would either see him as a threat or even worse, a new tool for him to use. It mattered not if he broke Percy, only that he would serve him.
Piandao would not wish such a fate on anyone. He had heard rumors of how the Fire Lord manipulated his daughter. Piandao couldn't imagine ever doing that to his adopted son.
Piandao wouldn't let Ozai get anywhere near Percy. He would contact Iroh and tell him of the situation. Iroh would know what to do, he was wise beyond his years. Piandao had kept him updated on Percy's progress and growth. Iroh would know how to convince him not to do something so foolish as to enter this tournament.
( - )
Iroh was sipping a steaming cup of tea as he watched his nephew's men search through the Eastern Air Temple for any sign of the Avatar, but the general's mind was elsewhere. He was thinking of the letter he had just received from Piandao concerning the enigma that was Percy Jackson. The child had appeared literally out of nowhere and had shown phenomenal talent in waterbending and swordsmanship. While most people in the Fire Nation would immediately assume a water bender to be from a Water Tribe, Iroh did not.
The Dragon of the West had studied people of all the nations. He could spot a member of the Southern Tribe among the Northern Tribe as easily as most people could tell the difference between a platypus-bear and a tiger-dillo and Percy was a member of neither tribe, of that he was sure. He had been writing with the boy back and forth occasionally since his departure with Zuko. As well as being updated by Piandao as the boy grew and developed. Percy showed no sexism towards women or upheld any of the other archaic traditions of the Northern Tribe. As for the Southern Tribe, he did not carry himself in the same way as someone who used to live off the land as they do. No, the boy had grown up around civilization.
This information along with where the boy was found led to the conclusion that he was the bastard of a member of a Water Tribe man and a Fire Nation woman. But even then, that conclusion left too many holes in the story for Iroh to accept. The boy's bending ability defied reason, with the barest of gesture he could make the water do things masters struggled with. And even then a master needed to perform a full kata to achieve it. This abnormal command over his element was not the strangest thing about the boy, no, the strangest thing about the boy had to be how in Agni's name he got his hands on a spirit sword. Iroh in all his years of life had never even heard mention of such a thing. But the descriptions Piandao had given him left no other conclusion.
If it had been anyone else claiming to have seen such a thing Iroh would have dismissed them as a madman, but the master firebender had known Piandao for a long time and trusted the man with his life. It was this same trust that had led him to sendPiandao the boy and now stuck the dilemma he had. The letter he had received from Percy and Piandao described two very different situations.
Percy's letter detailed how he had grown restless with his quiet life, he wanted more to do than just train. That was followed by less reasoning and more along the lines of please convince Piandao to let me do this. Iroh could understand Percy's situation. Especially during the last 100 years many men would join the Fire Nation army, but Percy didn't have that option, he was a waterbender and would be executed as a spy unless the Fire Lord himself said so. But now Percy wanted to throw himself into a tournament that would no doubt force him to reveal his powers.
Piandao's letter described the situation with an alternative option. Piandao stated how he understood Percy's frustration and sympathized with the boy, but was unwilling to take the risk. He argued that Percy was too young, after a couple more years if he still sought adventure and to travel, then Piandao and Iroh himself could introduce the Fire Lord to their trainee and convince him of his loyalty.
Iroh was stuck with two bad options. If he supported Piandao the boy would be crushed and probably bitter. Piandao on the other hand would be furious and disappointed in his friend. The problem was, even if they made Percy wait longer, they would still have to tell the Fire Lord about him if Percy wanted any semblance of a normal life outside of being hunted down as a spy.
Even if Iroh and Piandao convinced Ozai that Percy was more valuable alive than dead, it would put him directly in Ozai's interest. Ozai would see the young man as a new, powerful weapon to be used. Iroh would not allow his brother to manipulate Percy as he had done to his children.
But what if Ozai wasn't around to twist Percy's mind to his whim? Iroh knew from Percy's letters that he had no love for the Fire Lord. He was disgusted with what the man had done to Zuko. In Piandao's letters, he described how finely tuned Percy's instincts were both on, and off the battlefield.
Ozai had declared the winner of the tournament was to protect the crown princess herself. He couldn't go back on his proclamation. If Percy won the tournament then he would be with her wherever she went. With Zuko banished, she was the pride of the Fire Nation. She wouldn't be kept in the capital, she would travel around, and more than likely set out to conquer as Iroh did in his youth for the glory of the Fire Nation.
Piandao had stated more than once that Percy was like the ocean. He was generally like the gentle wave that pushed ships across the wave. However, Percy had the resolve of a wave that battered chips eventually dragging them under. If anyone could deal with his young niece, it was Percy. And with Percy and Azula away from Ozai, maybe Percy could be the positive influence on Azula like he was with Zuko. If Percy could help Azula find her own path and get her out of Ozai's grip the same as Iroh was doing for Zuko….
Iroh had to take that chance, Iroh loved both his niece and his nephew. It killed him to watch his brother manipulate the strong-willed and ambitious princess. Iroh had done all he could to help his brother's children, but since Zuko was away from Ozai's grasp it seemed like he was progressing with young Zuko. It may be selfish to put Percy in the sights of the Fire Lord but either way, he would have to at some point. If doing so now had a chance of helping his niece he had to take it.
With newfound determination, Iroh set about writing a reply to his old friend, as well as writing a separate letter to be given to his brother. Most would assume convincing a man like the Fire Lord to accept a waterbender to be impossible. They would be right if it was anyone except the Fire Lord's older brother. Ozai was not the only one to grow up in the royal family where manipulation was around every corner. Iroh probably knew Ozai better than anyone, all it would take to convince him would be some key phrases. Key phrases like "powerful weapon" and "crush all who oppose you".
Iroh gazed off into the setting sun as he watched the messenger hawk fly through the air. His thoughts were on a young boy with sea-green eyes that seemed to laugh in the face of the impossible. "I'm sorry Percy, but I must ask you to do something for me. Help my niece because I fear she is lost and alone." Iroh whispered into the wind, knowing that there was no one to hear his plea but making it all the same.
( - )
Percy was as pleased as Piandao was pissed. They had just received a letter from Iroh and Percy could tell from the scowl marring his face that the Iroh was on Percy's side. Piandao took one glance at Percy's smug grin and knew that he had given away the letter's contents.
"Go gather your things. We leave for the capitol at first light." Came the agitated voice of Piandao. He watched as Percy scampered off to ready himself for tomorrow's journey. "You better know what you're doing, Iroh," Piandao whispered to the empty room. Percy was going to be the death of him.
( - )
Percy dashed around his room trying to find everything he would need to pack. It was not going well. Percy was not what you would call an organized person and his room reflected it. Clothes and training gear were strewn all across the room. He grabbed a handful of clean (kinda) clothes as well as his light leather training armor. The last thing he placed in his bag was the Minotaur horn. He held it almost reverently.
"I hope you would be proud of me, Mom." He choked out a small sob before continuing. "I know I'm not doing normal school stuff like math or science, but I am learning. I'm learning a lot and now I'm going to use what I've learned to do good, to protect people. Just like you would have wanted. I love you."
It felt weird to be speaking to a horn-like it was his mother, especially the horn of the thing that had taken her from him. But Percy missed his mother dearly and felt the need to get some stuff off his chest. As he placed the horn in his bag he started to finger the hilt of riptide resting comfortably on his back. He was so used to wearing it that he almost felt naked without the comfortable weight.
Percy sighed, everything was about to change for him. If he didn't win this tournament it would probably cost him his life. He understood the huge risk he was taking/ It wasn't that he didn't love living here with Piandao and Fat, but more than two years' worth of training was starting to weigh on him. Percy needed a change. Eventually, the sea of nervous energy for what would come next left him, and he soon fell asleep on his bed with a smile across his face.
( - )
Percy and Piandao were sitting across from one another in their carriage, Fat was at the reins. Percy was fiddling with his horn tossing it up and down, a bored expression on his face. Long carriage rides were not good for ADHD demigods. His thoughts were interrupted by Piandao's voice.
"You should try carving that horn into something."
"Like what?"
"It's your horn, you pick. I would suggest maybe a dagger to carry along with your sword." Piandao passed him a small carving tool. His master was always trying to get him more interested in different subjects, but Percy never really liked painting or calligraphy. He was much more of a hands-on learner, he needed to be active. But maybe carving would be fun, plus making something like a dagger out of the Minotaur horn seemed like a good idea to him. Turning the beast's horn into his own weapon, a new part of his life.
The carriage ride passed by much faster for Percy as his thoughts became occupied by what he should make out of the horn. It wasn't long until he could hear the hustle and bustle of the city and feel the smoother ride as the carriage moved to paved stone from the dirt road.
"I will be dropping you off at the arena before I go off into the city. I want you to spend the night in quiet meditation, your mind must be focused on tomorrow's challenges." Piandao commanded Percy.
Percy was dreading that Piandao would tell him to do meditation. While he understood how it helped, he could never stay focused long. He hated meditation.
"Before I leave, I have one last piece of advice to give you before your tournament." Piandao looked at Percy, his face serene. The picture of a serious master. "You know you will have to use your bending in this tournament. Do not play with any opponent, take them out as soon as possible."
"Wait, what?" Percy was completely thrown off. He had expected something like "don't forget your defensive forms or stretch before each fight" What he was not expecting was his master to order him to reveal his waterbending right away. It had been drilled into his head over and over to hide that part of himself.
"You are going up against some of the best firebenders in the nation, even if you managed to win the tournament without bending, you would be certainly forced to use it at some point while guarding the princess. Iroh has already informed Ozai of you, and I will be near the Fire Lord during the tournament. Revealing your waterbending only confirms what he has already been told by Iroh. And should you win the tournament, you will never have to worry about hiding your bending in the Fire Nation again.
It made sense but Percy was nervous still. He knew the Fire Lord was a douchebag. Percy had seen first hand Zuko's scar and the idea of putting his life at the mercy of a man who would scar and exile his son was not reassuring. But he trusted Piandao and Iroh, if they said they could do it then Percy believed them.
"Good luck Percy." Piandao smirked, "And don't embarrass me out there. My reputation is on the line here."
"No, it's not like it's my life or anything important to be worried about." Percy drawled before smirking, "And besides I don't need to embarrass you, you do that fine all by yourself." Percy's snarky reply came before he jumped out of the carriage, his sword on his back and bag in hand.
( - )
Percy was sitting cross-legged in the meditative position breathing deeply. He was garbed in his light, leather armor. He had no helmet, letting his messy black hair fall down his head. Percy breathed deeply as he gazed upon the two doors in front of him, leading to the arena.
While Percy might have looked composed outwardly, on the inside his mind was a whirlwind of different thoughts and emotions.
Was he ready for this? What if he lost? What if the Fire Lord ordered him to be killed?
And that's when a truly frightening thought cleared his mind.
What if the Fire Lord killed Paindao for harboring a waterbender?
Percy didn't have time to dwell on this thought as the gong rang signaling the moment Percy had been waiting for. He walked through the doors, momentarily blinded by the bright morning sun. The air was hot and humid, the sky was clear and Percy could see who he was fighting first. He almost burst out laughing at the irony of it. It was that soldier he had heard about the tournament from. His name was Lee or something.
"I guess this guy did get someone to sponsor him after all."
He was wearing standard firebender armor only without the white bone mask. Lee looked nervous until he saw his opponent. All Lee saw was some kid with a sword, he had never seen Percy fight and immediately dismissed him as some cocky nobleman's son or something.
Big mistake.
Percy unsheathed Riptide before stabbing it into the ground as he rubbed the dirt into his hands. It was a ritual for Percy, especially if he was nervous. Mentally engaging at the moment, no longer Percy Jackson. He was Perseus, the destroyer, emotionless and untouchable. He would not be intimidated by any opponent or circumstance thrown his way.
Percy stood from his kneeling position but left Riptide in the ground. Percy patiently waited for the second strike of the gong to signal the start of the fight as he reached out with his senses. He could feel the gallons of water at his disposal, running underneath the arena visible through the grates. All of this water, along with his saltwater flask resting like a backpack between his shoulders. Percy recognized what he was, a phenomenal swordsman and a prodigal waterbender. He could feel his power thrumming in the water, he would not be beaten.
The gong struck again, the sound reverberating through the air as the crowd became deathly silent. Lee cocked his fist back, his face contorted into a snarl as he prepared to hurl a fireball at his opponent. Percy wasted no time as Piandao told him. Riptide was forgotten in the ground as he thrust his first upward, the water underneath surged from the grates as it smashed into Lee, throwing him clean off the platform. Lee hadn't even gotten off an attack. The crowd was deathly quiet for three seconds as they tried to process what they had just seen.
Then they roared.
"KILL THE WATERBENDER!"
"IT'S THE AVATAR!"
"MAGIC WATER UP MY NOSE!"
It took almost an entire minute for the guards to fight through the crowds to get to him. In that time Percy had sheathed Riptide and sat down on the ground. A half dozen guards surrounded him, fists cocked back ready to shoot streams of fire at him. During this time Percy was staring at the royal box and the Fire Lord inside it, as Piandao fought his way towards it.
Those were some of the most stressful minutes of Percy's life. Time seemed to stretch into hours as he waited. It seemed like an eternity for the Fire Lord to finish conversing with Piandao. Percy watched with bated breath as the Fire Lord stood to address the crowd, and more importantly the soldiers waiting for the order to kill him.
"I had been recently informed by my esteemed brother that a waterbender would be taking place in this tournament. It seems the young boy before us, is a loyal citizen of the Fire Nation despite his obvious barbaric heritage." Ozai's voice rolled over the crowd, silencing everyone instantly. "And while I do trust my brother's judgment, this boy has also been spoken of by the great swordsman Piandao as well. However, I find it necessary to test this waterbender to find if he truly is worthy of being Fire Nation." Ozai paused for a moment letting the suspense build. "I will allow this boy to continue fighting in the tournament, but should he fall, then he has proven himself no different than those Water Tribe savages. He will be executed for his failure." The Fire Lord's command moved through the masses as all eyes shifted to the sitting boy.
Percy rose to his feet slowly, he had been expecting such a proclamation as soon as he revealed his waterbending. He knew entering this tournament was winning or bust. He raised his head, making eye contact with the man that scarred his closest friend.
"I accept your challenge." His voice rang out clear and strong without any trace of doubt.
"Then let the tournament resume. Bring out the next fighter." The Fire Lord cried out, amusement lacing his tone.
( - )
Percy was exhausted. No, exhausted didn't even begin to cover how tired he felt. His leather armor was singed and burned. After the first fight, the Fire Lord had been changing the fight each time.
The Fire Lord had watched Percy wipe the floor with the next two fighters in a similar fashion to Lee before his first change. His fourth fight was a 4v1 match. After that, a handicap with one arm tied behind his back. Following that fight he fought 3v1 in back-to-back fights, except for each opponent he knocked out, the water level was drained. In the next battle, he was stripped of his armor.
By his ninth fight, there was no more water in the arena besides what he carried on his back. He had started at noon when the sun was highest. Now it was the afternoon, and only two fights left. His stamina was waning, even a demigod couldn't fight forever.
Percy kneeled as the gong rang out, signaling his next opponent. With two fights to go, he had decided this round would be purely swordsmanship, he would need his last reserves of water for the final match.
His opponent was huge. He stood around 6'5 and looked like he weighed at least 250 lbs. His hair was tied back as he glared down at Percy. The problem with taking his opponents out right away? Nobody was underestimating the young demigod now. The gong rang again and the battle started.
His opponent was immediately on the offensive with a barrage of fire punches and kicks. Percy gracefully avoided the flames as he moved closer. Another few punches and kicks aimed at him as Percy moved within 10 yards. However, the man changed his style, going from fire punches and kicks to whips and arcs of fire. Percy couldn't close the distance anymore without entering the range of an easy fire whip.
Percy moved around the man, forcing him to spin as he worked to get the sun at his back. Suddenly he launched his left hand upward towards the sky. The man flinched, squinting at Percy's hand, waiting for a waterbending attack to come.
It never did.
While the man was looking at his hand, Percy was dragging Riptide through the dirt like he had years before vs Zuko. By the time the man had realized he wasn't going to waterbend he was eating dirt and dust as Percy rushed towards him. A blind fire wave was easily handled as Percy landed in front of him. A quick leg sweep sent the man to his back before the tip of Riptide rested at his throat.
9 down, only 1 more to go.
( - )
Percy had only about a minute to sit down and regain his breath before the gong rang signaling his next opponent. Percy glanced at the sky, the sun was beginning to set but it would be another hour before it would give Percy any significant help. He watched as his last opponent came forth.
He was the closest opponent to his age yet. The man looked to be around 20, wearing nothing but loose trousers and the traditional shoulder wraps for Agni Kai. It struck Percy as odd, every other combatant had worn armor, taking advantage that these duels were not true Agni Kai. Percy had been stripped of his armor on his 8th fight. Percy was extremely fit for a 15-year-old teenager and looking at the opponent seemed to be in similar physical shape as him.
Percy breathed deeply before standing from his position, waiting for the gong to sound. He was glad he had saved his reserve water for this last fight, he was so close now. He hoped it would be enough. The gong rang again, the battle was on. Percy tensed, moving Riptide into a defensive stance as he waited for his opponent to make the first move.
The man shrugged off the jacket and strode forwards. His jet black hair was shaved off on the sides and pulled into a phoenix tail similar to the one Zuko had when Percy last saw him. His cold bronze eyes glared at Percy as if he was nothing more than some shit he had stepped in. His mouth quirked into a cruel smirk before he spoke loudly.
"I am Raijin, second-born son of the great and noble house of Rai. You may call me Lord, little savage."
"Or I can call you dumbass. Yeah, I think dumbass suits you better." Percy replied with an easy grin, he could hear some of the crowd snickering at his comment.
"I will enjoy frying you, barbarian," Raijin growled darkly. Then he started to rotate his arms, small blue sparks jumping around his body. Percy realized what was going on as he dove to the left, missing being hit with lightning as it connected with the spot he had been standing on three feet to the left.
Percy rolled to his feet, reevaluating his opponent. He hadn't expected anyone to be able to generate lightning. It took an extremely strong-willed bender, usually, only masters or the royal family had been seen using it. He knew he couldn't give him time to charge lightning, one strike from that and it was over.
He drew some of the water out, using it to coat his body like a second skin, energizing and strengthening him. With a burst of speed, Percy dashed towards Raijin, ducking below a blast of flame then sidestepping another bolt of lightning. Percy was atop him now and swung Riptide as he pushed his attack. But Raijin was much more versatile than other fighters. He ducked and weaved around Riptide before forcing him back with a wave of fire.
Percy was forced to leap aside again as Raijin charged another lightning strike. Percy moved in again, he was a master swordsman, Raijin couldn't dodge him forever. Percy ducked out the way of another fire blast before he swung again. Raijin dropped to his feet and scissor kicked a wave of fire at Percy. Percy jumped to avoid it, right into the fireball Raijin sent at him.
Percy was knocked backward, his skin an ugly red color. The water skin saved him from being knocked out, but he would be feeling the tenderness there for a while. He rose on unsteady feet, groaning softly. He withdrew the rest of the water from his container, healing himself as he steadied on his feet.
"Is that all you got?" Raijin sneered, "I suppose I shouldn't have expected a waterbender to be much of a challenge for a real firebender."
Percy was pissed, he had fought all day against 16 different opponents. He had trained for over two years and this arrogant shit was kicking his ass. Percy gritted his teeth and moved forward, he refused to lose to this prick. Raijin stood waiting for him with balls of fire held in each hand, waiting to strike down the demigod when he got close. What he failed to notice were the winds.
Percy approached rapidly, 30 ft, 20 ft, 15 ft, 10 ft. Raijin struck, hurling both fireballs at Percy's face. It didn't make it. The winds were now swirling around Percy in a miniature hurricane of wind and rain. Batting the flames away before they got close to the demigod. Percy was now so close that Raijin could feel the winds and rain buffeting him, unable to start a flame. He panicked as he inhaled a massive breath and roared out fire, smashing into Percy's hurricane.
Percy would berate himself later onward for that mistake. He had him until he got a face full of fire that dissipated his storm. That attack had evaporated the last of his water he had been using in the hurricane. Percy glared at the firebender breathing heavily. Raijin wasn't a demigod, he had barely gotten out of that last attack and he was tired.
"Damn dumbass, that breath is nasty, ever tried a mint?" Percy called out breathlessly. When in trouble, fall back on his most lethal weapon, sarcasm.
Percy needed to think, he was running on fumes. He was out of the water and he doubted he could make another hurricane if he tried. If he got hit by fire there was no more healing, it would be over. He hadn't come this far to give up, he would have to use his trump card. It would have to be disguised, even a pardon from the Fire Lord wouldn't save him if he was caught using this.
With a newfound plan, Percy took his ready stance. Raijin took his as well, the two warriors glaring at each other.
Percy charged once more. He dodged a couple of fireballs that lacked their power from before as he moved in close. Just as Raijin took a deep breath, ready to finish off the exhausted demigod, Percy struck. A little tug and Raijin's leg was moving on its own accord. The audience gasped as Raijin seemingly tripped, his fire breath shooting overhead of Percy.
Raijin himself didn't know what happened. One moment he was preparing to cook this little shit and the next he was off balance and breathing fire at the sky. He gasped for air as Percy delivered an absolute gutshot, knocking the wind out of him.
As Raijin gasped for air, Percy stepped forward before smashing his foot down on the firebenders knee, eliciting a scream of pain from the young noble as he dropped to the ground. Percy then whirled around, driving Riptides pommel into his temple. Raijin, of house Rai, crumpled to the ground, unconscious and defeated. The crowd went wild.
It seemed that seeing the underdog take down dozens of opponents had made him a crowd favorite, even if he was a waterbender. With the last of his energy, Percy stumbled out of the arena to the waiting arms of Piandao and Fat.
He smiled up at them, hugging Piandao tightly. "Thank you for believing in me dad." Before Percy collapsed with a tired smile on his face as consciousness faded. What he missed was Piandao's eyes tearing up at his words before he picked up the unconscious demigod and carried him.
Percy had won.
( - )
Author Note - Alright everyone so this is the end of chapter 4 of Percy Jackson & The Sapphire Flame and I hoped y'all enjoyed it. Give it a review or follow if you'd like to stay up to date on this story. A few things I'd like to talk about.
- To be clear, Iroh didn't like either option. But he knew between them it would benefit Percy more to be introduced to the Fire Lord now since if he's Azula's bodyguard he won't be around Ozai all the time. And also kinda selfishly he wants Percy to try and help Azula since he can't.
- Who noticed the Gladiator tribute with Percy planting Riptide and rubbing the dirt in his hands? I love that movie and with Percy about to fight for his life in the arena, I felt it fit what he might do to calm himself.
- Hopefully, y'all liked the three fights shown. It would've been too long to write each battle and repetitively. The three fights we see show different things. Pure dominance against Lee. Swordsmanship and strategy against the big guy. Percy's raw power and desperation vs Raijin.
- Don't freak out about Percy bloodbending, I know about how it's only supposed to be on full moons but in LOK they've got telekinetic god bloodbenders. So I feel justified in allowing Percy to do it briefly because he's a prodigy among the prodigies. He's the son of Poseidon, man is literally built differently.
- Of course, Percy doesn't like using bloodbending and it's the huge thing people would hate him for. Of course, Ozai would probably actually fall in love with Percy if he did that in the fights. The way Percy used it to throw Raijin off balance doesn't look suspicious to the crowd and even Raijin isn't sure what happened.
- Finally, please leave a review, guys! A follower or favorite would mean a lot too for me. Don't flame me too hard though. I'm always open to advice on being a better writer.
Duces