In which Percy is Badass and Clarisse and Michael feel very very stupid and Michael basically reacts how I would in that situation. Anyways, I hope you all enjoy this chapter, please do review- the reviews have honestly been making my day I'm not gonna lie. Also, progress report on the Lost Hero- I find that I love reluctant leader Leo and the idea of Jason actually being able to, y'know, let someone else lead- because it wasn't really fair on him. He was pretty much automatically expected to lead the quest even though he had amnesia- whereas in this AU he can rely on someone else who knows what they're doing because Leo's got experience and all.
Clarisse did pretty much what Percy expected, lunging instantly with her spear- it was almost laughably easy for Percy to twist away from the lunge- and then the fight began in earnest. And honestly Clarisse and Michael were both good- against anyone else it would have been a short fight- but Percy fought like a demon- within ten seconds Percy had tossed Michael's knife to the other side of the area after he'd tried to duck under her guard while she'd been distracted by Clarisse's attempt to ram an elbow into her ribs- Percy had caught his wrist and smashed it against her knee to force him to drop the blade before she'd almost tossed him to the side, sending him tumbling- and she'd had to catch Clarisse's spear an inch from her face with Riptide and deflect the blow- before she'd kicked the daughter of Ares in the chest and sent her flying backwards.
And the fight went on like that- Percy stayed defensive- she wasn't trying to hurt them, she was trying to prove a point- and with her new strength, speed and reflexes from her dip in the Styx it was almost funny how easily Percy was managing, especially when they kept getting into each others way.
After maybe ten minutes of that though Percy noticed that they were slowly shifting- they were watching each other more, working around one another, which was what Percy had been aiming for- she might not be a genius but she did have a plan.
If they wanted a chance they'd end up working together- admittedly they still had literally no chance but hey, the point was that they'd have to work together.
And so Percy kept it up, ducking and dodging, occasionally lashing out to knock them back- and as they fought Michael started keeping a distance, pulling his bow from where it was slung over his shoulder and shooting arrows at her- and Clarisse started using that to her advantage, figuring out where Michael was going to shoot next to try and predict where Percy was going to be.
Honestly Percy found that she was kind of enjoying it. Fighting like this was always fun, and it was a challenge for her- admittedly the fight would have ended very quickly if she had been fighting back but she wasn't- and she could hear gasps and whispers from the watching demigods, feel eyes glued to her as she leapt up and flipped backwards over one of Clarisse's slashes that would have probably badly hurt her knees if she wasn't invulnerable, kicking out as she did and catching Clarisse's chin and sending her stumbling backwards as the arrows that would have hit her back whizzed harmlessly through the air beneath her and above Clarisse.
She landed with a thud as the arrows embedded themselves into the ground near her feet, laughter slipping past her lips as she gave Michael a mocking grin and salute, "Ya missed me-"
"No I didn't!" and then something burst from the arrows, fine Celestial Bronze wires that curled around her wrists and ankles, and Percy's eyes widened because Clarisse was surging to her feet spear in hand and she could hear gasps from the crowds as Clarisse charged.
Percy tore one hand free, and then the other but before she could tear her feet free Maimer was smashing into her shoulder- Clarisse didn't have the current going- clearly she didn't actually want to hurt Percy, but still, and she heard Michael letting out a whoop of victory- clearly forgetting that it had been a competition as Clarisse gave a wild grin. "Got you Jackso-" she froze, her eyes going wide when she noticed that rather than piercing Percy's shoulder the tip of the spear had crumpled like it was made of tin.
"What the fuck?"
"What is it?" Michael's voice was confused, "What- Wait Clarisse just stabbed your shoulder I saw it how are you not bleeding?"
Percy gave an innocent look at that, rubbing the back of her neck sheepishly, "Oh- about that. There was no way you were gonna draw blood-"
"Percy!" that came from Luke, who skidded to a halt a few feet away, Annabeth and Thalia close behind him, and Nico and Leo behind them, all watching with wide eyes.
"You- what the fuck?"
"Percy how aren't you hurt?" Annabeth was gaping at Percy as Chiron drew level with them, the Centaur stared at her for a long moment before he spoke.
"I believe I know what you've done Persephone."
"Are you gonna yell at me like my dad did?" Percy raised an eyebrow, rocking back on her heels, "Because I made my choice, I knew the risks and I know that there's a price to pay-"
"Okay- okay you are explaining like now!" Luke burst out, "Because I thought maybe- maybe I was wrong about what I saw on the Princess Andromeda but clearly I wasn't- Kronos caught you with his scythe-" that made Annabeth suck in a sharp breath and waver slightly, only Leo's sudden grip on her arm steadied her.
"Yeah. He did." Percy gave a cheeky grin, "Though I gotta say I dunno how my souls gonna get reaped by this cursed blade if no blades can pierce my skin-"
"What?" Michael demanded, "What the- what is happening here?"
"Persephone bathed in the Styx." Chiron's voice was soft, "She has the curse of Achilles. No blade will be able to cut her, no arrow pierce her skin- not even bullets will harm her now. Unless they strike her mortal spot-"
"You-" Thalia's mouth dropped open, "Holy Hades you-"
"That's what you were doing." Nico breathed out, "My dad was taking you to the Underworld to bathe in the Styx-"
"Oh that is so cool." Leo breathed out, "That is so so cool. And you're totally a better fighter now-"
"Yep, faster, stronger, better reflexes." Percy shrugged, "It's the only reason I lasted as long as I did against Kronos-"
"Oh you sly bitch!" Clarisse burst out, her eyes wide, "You- first fucking blood." she punched Percy's shoulder, and Percy burst out laughing as Michael's eyes widened too and he scooped his dagger off the ground and made a spirited attempt of stabbing her shoulder- which did nothing much other than damage her already pretty much destroyed jacket.
"That- why would you even-"
"Because someone needed to beat some sense into you dumbasses." Percy declared firmly, "Neither of you drew blood, and neither of you would have come close even if I could be cut- not on your own. It wasn't until you two worked together to trick me that you even landed a blow. So stop being dumbasses and share. That's my verdict, either share it or neither of you can have the chariot."
"I think-" Chiron spoke up, "That that would be a fair compromise."
"I-" Michael hesitated before looking at Clarisse, a reluctant smile tugging at his lips, "We did work pretty well together I guess."
"Yeah. I guess." Clarisse nodded before she held out her hand, "I'm willing to share if you are."
"Sounds like a deal." Michael grabbed Clarisses' hand and shaking.
"Thank fuck for that." Percy threw her hands up, "Because I was this close to strangling you both if you didn't work things out-"
"Hey-" Clarisse glared playfully, "You might be invulnerable but I'll still kick your ass if you disrespect me Jackson, you got it."
"Yeah yeah." Percy shoved Clarisse's shoulder gently, "Now fuck off and tell your cabins the deal. Any more bickering and I will kick your asses out of camp."
"Yeah, you've said." Michael snorted, "Repeatedly, we get the message. We'll behave."
"Good." Percy gave a sunny grin before she focused on Chiron, Luke, Thalia, Nico, Leo and Annabeth, "Please no yelling at me over this- I've already dealt with that from dad-"
"Why didn't you tell us?" Nico's voice was soft, "Percy..."
"Because-" Percy sighed, "Because I've spent a long time considering everything, all my options and stuff. And I... it was something I had to do myself and the less people who knew at first the better- the less chance of rumours getting to Kronos. He knows now though so I mean- doesn't make much difference."
"I'd like to know what made you decide to do it." Chiron admitted, watching Percy carefully as Clarisse and Michael split off and headed away together, talking about the chariot- things might not be perfect but they were willing to work together and compromise now at least.
"When Drew came to me on my birthday last year she told me that she was pretty sure Alabaster bathed in the Styx to prepare to host Kronos." Percy admitted, "I didn't- I spent a long time considering what to do about the situation. I mean, it's not something you take lightly right? But I thought about it a lot- discussed it with uncle Hades- he confirmed that Alabaster bathed in the Styx and I realized that it was probably my best chance."
"It could have killed you." Nico's voice was almost accusing, "It could have killed you and none of us would have known what you were doing Percy-"
"You being there wouldn't have helped." Percy pointed out, "I had to do it by myself. I prepared and everything, I took it super seriously."
"So-" Thalia's voice was curious, "What does it mean?"
"Like Chiron said. Unless you get me in my mortal spot you won't be cutting me." Percy shrugged, "I get tired more I think, and I'm a lot hungrier than I was-"
"Achilles was much the same- the enhanced strength and speed and such take a heavy toll on your body." Chiron's expression was worried, "When he wasn't fighting Achilles was usually eating or sleeping."
"I haven't fought that much lately so I've been okay, I'm feeling kinda tired now though." Percy admitted, trying to stifle a yawn.
"Then you should sleep." Chiron's voice was firm.
"Not until I've spoken to Drew."
"Do you want me with you?" Annabeth's voice was hesitant- and Percy shook her head.
"No, no, Drew's gonna freak she won't want an audience."
"Make sure that after you talk to Drew you go to your Cabin." Chiron's voice was firm, "You will need rest, now more than ever."
And Percy nodded before leaving- and she was heading towards the Cabins when she saw Drew- the daughter of Aphrodite was making her way towards the Arena.
The girl smiled when she spotted Percy, lifting a hand to wave, and Percy broke into a jog, reaching Drew quickly, "Hey!"
"Hey Princess." Drew flipped her hair over her shoulder, "Did you manage to deal with Clarisse and Michael like Silena-"
Percy reached out quickly, slapping a hand over Drew's mouth and shaking her head, "Drew- I need you not to freak out a second. Can you give me your necklace please?"
"I- why?" Drew hesitated slightly. It was the only thing her father had ever given her after all- and no matter how much she hated the abusive asshole a part of Drew would obviously cling to it.
"It's a long story but-" Percy hesitated, glancing around and leaning closer to Drew, "C'mon. We'll talk in my cabin away from everyone else. I don't want people misunderstanding."
"What's going on?" but Drew let Percy drag her along to the Poseidon cabin, and once they were inside and the door closed Drew crossed her arms over her chest, "So Princess, what the fuck's going on? Why do you look like someone killed a puppy."
"Drew-" Percy took a deep breath, "Alabaster's screwed with your memory-" and Drew's face lost all of its color turning ashen.
"No- no he-"
"You got caught when you first tried to escape, Alabaster knew you helped me and he knew you'd come to me." Percy told Drew, a pained look on her face, "He took your necklace and enchanted it- he's been listening in on everything-"
"Oh gods-" Drew looked sick, "No- no- Percy I don't- I never- I swear-" and suddenly all of her bitchy act was gone- and for the first time Drew looked her age- she looked like a terrified teenager, shaking her head and trying not to cry. None of her usual act was there any more. "I wouldn't do that I know-" And Percy lurched forward, hugging Drew tightly, "I know- I know Drew, it's not your fault you didn't know about it." her voice was soothing. "Neither of us did- I gave you back the necklace so I'm as much to blame as you-"
"Please- please you know I'd never do that to you right?" Drew shook her head, "You- you're my first- you're my only friend." she had to force the words out, "I wouldn't- this place- you guys- you're the closest thing I've ever had to a real family. You believe me right-"
"I believe you." Percy promised, "Which is why no one else needs to know. We get rid of the necklace and the threat is gone."
