I've probably been forgotten by now…so moving on…
As promised shout-outs to those who reviewed the one-shot I posted yesterday, The Common Application: PipeGrace2015, Artemis-gurl, Annabeth Weasley Fowl, Lilith Jae, insertcoolsoundingnamehere, Teenaged Author, prince of the seas, J, Queenoftheworld, Guest (x2), and coolmango.
If you haven't already, take a moment to check it out.
Summary: After the end of the war with Gaea, Percy faces his next challenge in life: going to college. As he begins to fill out the applications to submit, he comes up with funny, whimsical, not serious, some slightly inappropriate ways to answer the questions. But hey, he's the Hero of Olympus. Who cares about college apps when you saved the world?
Previously—
"Percy, I was wondering…" she paused, looking very uncomfortable. "Would you go to the dance with me?"
He noticed a pair of blue eyes staring at him from a distance away. The Major's eyes had been trained on Annabeth's back the entirety of the conversation, trying to decipher what was going on.
This could be Percy's opportunity to get it over with Luke. The ball, but now, Annabeth was in the way once more. The more he saw the look in Luke's eyes get cloudier, the more determined he became.
He said clearly and loudly enough for Luke to hear, "Of course, I'd be honored to accompany you to the dance."
That did it. Luke's face turned a fuchsia color and his hands clenched around the announcement paper he was holding, threatening to rip it.
That had been four weeks previously, and the day of the dance was approaching quickly. While most people's minds were on training and then preparations for the dance, Percy was executing his own plan while managing to balance training. The night of the Marine Corps Birthday Ball would be the night of the attack. Annabeth Chase herself would be his alibi. He could easily make quick work of it.
He had managed to contact Nico via Mrs. Arnolds (who had turned out to be the insider Nico had mentioned). The two had begun the long and arduous process of bringing the necessary equipment. Percy didn't want it to be a long affair knowing that if he strayed off for too long, Annabeth was bound to be suspicious.
What Major Luke Castellan needed was death, and Percy was not going to be one to dilly dawdle over it. This was an opportunity that took months of planning could all be lost if Percy were to miss even by a second. Nico had promised that someone would be there to lure Luke out of the banquet hall and that once the deed had been done, he would be there to retrieve the corpse and transport it elsewhere.
Percy could feel the excitement boil up inside him at the thought. He had waited over five years for this moment and here he was, on its threshold. He could finally have the revenge he had wanted. At last, Luke would bear the weight of his karma for killing the innocent lives of his fiancée.
He was interrupted from his thoughts by the arrival of his date for the dance later that evening.
"Private Jackson," the blonde nodded her head once in acknowledgment. Percy returned the greeting with a curt nod of his head, "Captain."
"Any particular reason why you aren't in training?" she asked with a twinkle in her eye.
"Thought I'd take a day off. Gotta look my best for my date tonight," he added with a wink. Although he was teasing her, his mind was speeding at over 100 mph on a different topic."
She fought back a smile threatening to take over her face, "You don't say. Although I must admit, that shouldn't really make you forego your responsibilities. Anyway, I, on the other hand, have some tasks to finish before tonight's ball. I shall see you later, Percy."
Percy found himself suddenly distracted watching her figure grow smaller with each passing step. This girl would be his saviour tonight. She would be the one who verified his story. This was another detail he couldn't forget. She was the key to his success.
That evening—
Percy stood in calm composure as he tugged the green bowtie of his tuxedo. He had one hand in his pocket as the other adjusted the bowtie. One of his bunker-mates flashed him a sly grin, "Calm down man. Captain Chase isn't going to ding you for not having a proper bow tie. Calm your ti*s."
Percy ignored the comment, instead looking down the line of marines who stood awaiting the arrival of their dates, "Are they here yet?" He glanced down at his watch which currently read 18:00. That gave another hour and forty-five minutes till Nico arrived. That meant he would have to keep Annabeth entertained till 19:40 at least.
At last, the women had arrived in their full glamour. Men's eyes eagerly darted around in search of their dates. Percy's eyes settled on a pair of silver gray staring at him with amusement written on her face.
What struck him was her hair. It had grown back?! No, but it was a wig. A few strands of princess blonde curls cascaded down her neck framing her angular face while a messy bun held the star attraction.
Percy could have remained there staring for a bit, taking in every ounce of the beauty in front of him, but Annabeth approached him with a frown now on her face, "Aren't we going in?"
"What, um, yeah…" he scratched the back of his neck nervously as he blushed a deep cherry tomato red.
"Oh come on," she enthused, grabbing him by the arm to drag him through the entrance of the banquet hall, "Lighten up a bit and look like you're actually happy to go with me."
"Hey, that's not it…" he protested but found himself slightly grinning at her wry humor.
As the two took their allocated seats at one of the numerous round tables located throughout the banquet halls, Luke took center stage at the podium to give the ceremonial speech:
"I would like to welcome everyone here on this fine evening of November 10th to celebrate…"
Percy had his eyes trained on the other man through the duration of the opening ceremony noting every move, unusual quirk, or strain in his adversary's voice. In his rapt attention, he didn't notice the entirety of the crowd standing up to clap until Captain Chase elbowed him hard, "Stand up Jackson."
Luke next gave it over to the Commander of the Marines who made an annual appearance at these events. People once again took their seats at the wave of the Commander's arms. Luke stood to the left respectfully as the man his own bit. Annabeth was in gross attention to pay much attention to Percy. Had she been watching, she might have noticed the queer expressions that overtook his face as the commander praised the major to his left.
At final, the commander exited with a firm handshake with Luke. At his leaving, Luke bent down into the microphone with a grin playing up, "Let's get this ball started."
As the DJ began to play the latest pop hits, Percy found himself sitting cross-legged in his cream colored seat with a glass cup in his hand filled with an unidentifiable liquid while Annabeth stood in front of him with her arms crossed in impatience, "You coming?"
"…Maybe later," he replied, his eyes trained on the mosh pit in front of him trying to locate Luke amongst the crowd.
"Jackson, you're turning lazy. Don't be such a downer," her beautiful features twisted into one of silent pleading, "Besides, imagine what people would say if my date didn't dance with me."
He let himself be thrown into the pit, not reluctantly though. He almost found himself enjoying, his senses dulling as everything near him began turned into a blur. Bodies pressed up against him as he began to sweat profusely. A fast fiery passion of colors surrounded him with only one image standing out in the crowd: a pair of luscious red lips beckoning him slightly with a finger… Rachel.
An arm tugged him hard as he landed into her long arms. "Rachel?" he whispered.
A dark cloud filled the already grey eyes looking back into his own. Her eyebrows scrunched up as she lead him back to their seat. He could sense he had done something wrong from her posture. It was too stiff. His head was still throbbing from the flashing lights, the images still flickering back and forth. His head swayed dangerously when Luke approached.
Percy couldn't tell whether it was the lights playing a trick on him or not, but a sneer was present on Luke's face, visible for all of two seconds.
"Might I interrupt for a dance?" he asked politely, directing the question more at Annabeth than Percy. Annabeth glanced with some concern at Percy before nodding.
"I'll be out then," he managed. "Get some fresh air." Annabeth smiled in agreement, "Right, I'll meet you out there later after this dance. I'll bring some drinks too."
Percy staggered out. It was perfect timing. If Nico was right, Luke should be lured out within ten minutes with Annabeth sufficiently occupied. It would be done in all of three minutes.
He retrieved the revolver from where he had hid it previously. Percy had loaded it that morning in advance so that he was prepared but it felt surprisingly lighter than he remembered. As he shook it, a noise rattled, proving the cartridge was still indeed in the gun.
He leaned against the wall patiently, pulling over the black mask in his hand. He spun the gun by the handle on his pointer finger when a figure darted from the banquet hall. Luke. Percy approached with silent footsteps behind his target.
The other man's blue bowtie stood out in the dark night like a fluorescent light. Luke had stopped, standing in place. Percy moved in closer, slightly surprised. And then he lunged.
With his left arm around Luke's neck in a stronghold, he brought up his right hand, gunpoint to the head. It was easy. Just like a boxing move. Luke struggled for a mere second before stopping, letting out a low, dark chuckle, "So you had the nerve."
"What?" Percy didn't loosen his grip on his target.
"I didn't think you had it in you to kill someone. But I must admit I was expecting this from the moment you entered camp. Percy Jackson, I know who you were from the start. You fooled me momentarily, but that was nothing," Luke said dismissively.
"You shameless murderer," Percy whispered hoarsely into the other man, his voice an octave lower and scratchier at the prospect of the moment.
"Murderer?" Luke laughed with some surprise in his tone.
"You killed Rachel."
"Let's not get upset Percy over one dead soul. Let bygones be bygones."
"Not one innocent life Luke, but two."
"Two?" Luke intoned, this time genuinely in shock.
"Yes, Rachel…and my unborn son, you bastard," Percy's voice caught on his words, holding back from screaming.
"She was pregnant?" Luke said flatly.
"What's it to you. You killed her, and that's all that matters. And now you will have to pay up for the price," Percy's white teeth gleamed against the reflection of the moon. He cocked the gun, releasing the trigger.
Nothing.
Percy kept his hold on Luke as he shook out the cartridge. He had been in an idiot. It was a fake. The bullets had all been discharged. Luke simply laughed, "You think I'd still be here not fighting if I was going to let you kill me?"
"You…"
"Like I said, I knew Percy. I was expecting this."
Percy shoved the gun harder against Luke's head, "Shut up. I can still cause considerable damage with this."
"Percy, just give up. This just isn't worth it and not becoming of a young man such as you."
"It's not only personal Luke, there are others out there ready to finish this mission if I fail."
"What's in it for you?"
"I just want to see you die!"
"Well Percy, hate to break this to you, but I'm not the only one either. That gun of yours? That wasn't me. I have a few friends myself."
Percy whacked him hard with the gun on the side of the head. A trickle of scarlet red blood followed.
"I will kill you," Luke whispered. "I won't wait around till you make an attempt on my life."
Percy would have responded had a voice not interrupted them, "Luke, is that you?"
Without warning, Percy's arm swung in the direction of the voice, a flashlight blinding him momentarily. She dropped the glasses she was carrying in her hand, the glass shattering to pieces flying everywhere as she took in the scene in front of her.
She stared at the two men, one holding a gun to the other's head. "Percy?" Annabeth whispered.
I'll admit, not my best, but I apologize for that and the long wait. I want to finish this story soon. There are two more chapters and possibly an epilogue if you all want.
I'll update My Gay Best Friend in the next 2 weeks. So, till then, check out the one-shot I wrote yesterday.
Read, fave, follow, and review! Every 50th milestone reviewer gets special recognition in the following chapters.
~TJ