THANKS TO ALL OF YOU WHO READ THIS STORY AND TOOK TIME TO REVIEW IT. HERE'S THE NEXT CHAPTER. HOPE YOU ENJOY IT. {SPQRslytherin, Aroissa, percabeth endgame, iswim, William Carstairs, zejaykay} THANK YOU FOR THE R&R. AND THE TWO OTHER GUESTS. THIS CHAPTER GOES TO YOU GUYS :)
2. A Heart-Breaking Loss
Leo woke up from Festus to see a small crowd gathering around something. He got off Festus to see what the commotion was and his heart broke into a thousand pieces on seeing Annabeth holding a barely conscious Percy in her arms.
She was crying and so was everyone surrounding them. He could hear thunder and the waves crashing on the shore angrily as if it wanted to hurt someone. He looked at the tear-stricken face of Clarisse La Rue, the toughest Ares kid one could ever find.
Kneeling beside Percy was Grover, Nico, Piper, Frank, Blackjack who was nudging Percy—neighing softly, tears running down his muzzle—Reyna, Coach Hedge—who was slapping his face, tears streaming down his cheeks on how he should've realized Percy would've tried to be a martyr—Hazel and Will Solace.
"We can't do anything?" Asked a devastated Annabeth. "I'm so sorry, Annabeth, but he used what was left of his energy to cause that earthquake," Will replied. Percy had caused an earthquake? "Guys, can someone tell me what happened?" Leo asked.
Piper saw him first. She regained her composure and pulled him aside. "Leo, he's going to die." "No! No, no, no! This wasn't supposed to happen! I was supposed to die. That's why I went for the physician's cure. Because I was the one who overlapped the two in the prophecy and the four sent out to capture Nike," Leo said, in denial.
"An oath to keep with a final breath should've been me. I swore on the River Styx to find Calypso again," Leo continued. "Leo, stop. Think about it," Piper said holding the Latino by his shoulders.
"We thought storm was Jason, but it was actually Percy and Percy was also on the team that went out to get Nike. He made an oath to kill Gaia with his bare hands when Annabeth and he came out of Tartarus. Jason's in the infirmary right now,
"Will tended to him but came rushing out when he heard that Percy was dying," Piper said. The waves crashed louder against the shore and rain poured down, avoiding the spot where the demigods were huddled along with their fallen hero.
"Poseidon's angry, isn't he?" Leo asked, taking in the dreary weather. "If he were, he would be here right now tending to his only son," Piper replied angrily, "I think the sea is imitating Percy's emotions and the Naiads are agitated because he's dying."
"Come on, we have to make him comfortable," Piper said, pulling back Leo to Percy. "Percy, you idiot! Why did you do it? We could've taken on those monsters ourselves," Annabeth cried. "Too many . . . Hard for camp . . . One life for thousands . . . Not that bad," Percy replied in broken sentences, smiling wanly.
"Please, don't leave me again, I just got you back," tears were coursing down Annabeth's face like a perennial waterfall. She hugged Percy and cried into his chest. "I'm sorry. I had to protect camp . . . and you," his reply was painful.
Blackjack nudged the son of Poseidon and whinnied softly. Percy smiled at his horse. "Hey buddy. You can have my cabin as your stable now," Percy joked but no one felt like laughing. It just caused everyone to cry more.
"Don't you dare die on me, Seaweed Brain!" Annabeth yelled. "I don't want to, Wise Girl. I'm so sorry," he whispered. Suddenly, the young hero turned on his side to cough up blood on the ground.
Percy turned back in Annabeth's arms, "Now you guys can be safe from any more Great Prophecies for a few years at most," he said. "Why did you do it, Perce! It was supposed to be me," Leo yelled at him.
Once again the hero of Olympus struggled to reply. "Safe . . . For Calypso . . . Should've tried harder . . . Wouldn't have cursed Annabeth," he whispered in broken sentences. "Leo, find her. Tell her I'm happy for her," Percy coughed again, "Be happy, kid."
"Jackson, don't you dare leave us. Who would lead us, who would I bully if you died!" Clarisse yelled at him, rapidly wiping the tears off her face. "I made the toughest kid of Ares cry. I'm proud of myself. Don't worry Clarisse, Nico will lead you guys. There are other campers for you to bully."
"I'm not staying, Percy. I don't belo—" Nico was cutoff. "Oh, bullshit. You're staying. A lot of people need you here. You're going to take my place and restore camp, okay? Please, for me," Percy begged. "No one would ever listen to a child of death, Percy," Nico replied.
"You're far more than that, Nico Di Angelo!" Percy exclaimed, "You are an awesome demigod and a loyal friend. I'm surprised I got to know you, let alone be your friend. People will understand you only if you let them in, Nico."
"I'll stay . . . for you. But I'm not as awesome as you portray me to be. I'm . . . I'm gay," The last part came out as a whisper. Percy was stunned but quickly regained his composure, "Nico, this is the 21st century. No one really minds your love life, man," Percy said.
"I had a crush on you since you first found me," Nico said again, trying to sway Percy's opinion of him. "Then you're gonna have to move on, Nico." "Then what about me?" Annabeth hiccupped.
"So should you, Wise Girl, but we all know how stubborn you are. So I just want to tell you. When you meet someone and think there is a chance to fall in love, take it," Percy whispered.
"I will never replace you," Annabeth cried.
"You don't have to. I'll always be with you, Wise Girl," he replied, stroking her blonde princess curls as she cried into his chest. Annabeth decided to pull it together. He was dying and yet he was the one comforting her, which just made her love him more.
"Piper, tell Jason that I'm sorry for not being there to help with his promise and never forget even for one moment that you are not weak. You were and still are a vital part of the team which The Fates won't let me be a part of." Percy continued, talking to everyone.
"Reyna, you will find happiness maybe when you least expect it. I'm glad I met you. Thank you for your energy because without it I'm sure I would've been dead the moment I had killed Gaia. Take care of yourself and smile a little bit." Reyna gave him a watery smile. "There it is. You look much better now," Percy's voice was week.
"No! Brother," an anguished cry came from nearby as Tyson barreled towards Percy and kneeled on the ground. He gently took Percy from Annabeth and gave him a small hug. "Hey there, big guy. Don't worry. I'm going to be fine. I'll be in Elysium drinking wine and dining with Selena and Beckendorf and Luke," Percy tried to comfort his brother.
"You were just back," Tyson cried, laying his brother back into Annabeth's arms. She clutched her boyfriend tightly to her. Percy coughed once more, more blood expelling from his body. "Frank, Hazel, always stick together. Everyone makes their own destiny. Your firewood might burn out but it would happen when you're all wrinkled and old and ready to leave.
"And one more thing, you're naming your first kid after me. Oh, but please don't keep my name for a girl. Poor thing would be tortured. And don't name him Perseus either. Zeus doesn't need his ego inflated more than it already has. Just Percy will be enough."
Hazel and Frank laughed and cried at the same time. It was just like Percy to make a dreary mood brighter. "Coach Hedge, you are the most awesome protector I've ever heard, apart from Grover, that is, and I want you to continue your work.
"This wasn't your fault. It was my decision and I have to face the consequences." Hedge nodded grimly. "Take care of your little boy, Coach. Remember, family and friends before anything."
"G-man! You're the awesome friend I've ever had and I'm so happy I got to know you. You be good to Juniper, okay?" Grover bleated and gave Percy a hug. "I'll never forget you, Perce."
A huge creature came barreling over. Percy saw Mrs O'Leary's teary face loom over his body. "Hey girl," he said, stroking the hellhound's snout, "I'll be alright. You are the best dog I have ever had. Nico will take care of you. You be good to him and take care of Annabeth and the camp, okay?"
The hell hound nodded warily, affectionately nudging her master and friend. "You'll be fine. You'll have someone else with you again," Percy said. A fat teardrop landed on the earth near Percy as the giant dog gave a last affectionate lick and walked away, howling.
Percy turned back to Annabeth. "Now the best for the last," Percy coughed before he could say anything and started convulsing. "No, Percy, please!" Annabeth cried. Percy had a coughing fit and coughed up blood before he could talk some more.
"Annabeth, I'll be eternally grateful that I got to meet you and be with you, thought I never deserved you and could've done so much better," he laughed. Annabeth shook her head, "You were always the one," she whispered.
Percy stroked her cheek, "I love you so much, Wise Girl. I wanted us to go to New Rome and have a life together with work and kids like normal people, but fate is a funny thing. Though I wished to have had more time with you, I'm glad I have my last moments with you.
"You are the most perfect person I've ever met. Of course, I'd be biased because I love you unconditionally, but still," Percy insisted as Annabeth gave a short live chuckle. "Be happy again Annabeth. Just because I'm going to die, it doesn't mean it's the end of the world.
"Well, I'd be damned if it were the end of the world, 'cause what's the use of sacrificing myself if it's going to end all over again? And now I'm rambling. What I want to say is, don't stop living your life because me." He finished.
"We'll take care of Annabeth, Perce," Piper said tearfully. "Thank you," Percy replied, clutched Annabeth's hand and whispered "Goodbye." "No, please!" Annabeth cried and then looked at the sky, "I hate you," she yelled at the sky, angrily. "After all we've been through, don't you think we deserve our happy ending!
"We went through the Titan War, beat all the odds and when we thought we would finally be together, you took him away from me. I spent a year worried about him! When we finally got each other back, you make us go through Tartarus to close the doors of death.
"I went through the operation of death you set up for me Athena, and this is how you help me? I finally think that we'd be together after all we've been through, survived through and this is how you repay us? By taking him away from me again?" She yelled hysterically.
"Annabeth," Piper started. "No!" Annabeth's eyes were furious. "I don't need to be afraid of them! What are they going to do? Incinerate the whole camp! Then who will save them when the monsters come rushing?
"The Gods are weak without us, nothing without us," Annabeth yelled vehemently.
"Percy is your favorite son? Then do something about it instead of sitting on your throne, watching us like sitcoms, Poseidon. Percy freed you from your burden Artemis, is this how you repay him?
"You say Percy is your hero, Apollo, Hermes, what have you done for him? Zeus, Hades, you owe him! Percy gave back your objects of power when all you could do was threaten war! Athena, you owe me! So come on and do something useful for once," Annabeth yelled till her throat was raw and collapsed on top of Percy crying inconsolably.
The waves crashed against the shore viscously before a person a materialized. "If you ever keep me away from my son again, I wouldn't hesitate to strike you down Zeus! The only reason I haven't went against you was because I never wanted war but this is the last straw!" Poseidon yelled at the lightning that tried to strike him.
He ran towards Percy and knelt down beside him. Percy opened his eyes to see Poseidon and cracked a smile. "Hey dad," his voice was hoarse, "I did good, didn't I?" he asked his father. "Of course you did. You are my son," Poseidon smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes.
Annabeth ran her fingers through Percy's hair. "Please stay with me," she whispered brokenly. "I am so proud of you my child. I always have been and always will be. We don't have time, Percy; connect your hands with mine. If I feed you my essence, it might give you enough time to recover you," Poseidon said, running his palm along his son's face lovingly.
"Dad, tell mom that I love her and that I'm sorry I couldn't see her one last time," Percy coughed. "You're going to here for a long time, Percy. Now do as I say," Poseidon commanded, holding his hand up.
Percy laid his hand against is father's. "No matter how much pain you are in, don't let go of my hand. Alright?" Poseidon asked. Percy nodded. Poseidon closed his eyes and everyone held their breath. Nothing happened. "Why isn't it working? It should be working," Poseidon said in disbelief.
"It's too late," Nico's quiet voice said, "I can feel his soul leaving his body, His soul is fighting against Thanatos, but in his weakened state, Percy is losing the battle. The only reason he has held on this long was to give you all some time with him and for you, Annabeth.
"He cannot die peacefully unless you let him go," Nico said. Annabeth looked at the almost dead Percy. Poseidon's anguished cry filled the air. "I will destroy Zeus," Poseidon yelled, waving his trident, running his hand through Percy's hair.
"If he hadn't put up a fight, I would've been here sooner!" "Dad, no more wars . . . please. Don't want to die in one war . . . for it to lead . . . to another." Percy whispered weakly. Poseidon's gaze softened as he looked upon his dying boy. "Anything for you, my child," Poseidon whispered brokenly as he kissed his son on his forehead, tears escaping his eyes.
"Annabeth, I'll see you in Elysium, Wise Girl. I love you," Percy whispered. "I love you, Percy. Seaweed Brain," Annabeth cried. A small smile graced Percy's features as the light left his eyes and he became a skeleton of his former self.
"He's gone," Nico said, looking at the body of the fallen hero. Annabeth and Poseidon sobbed together, cradling their fallen hero, the light of their lives. Poseidon whispered something into Percy's ears, turned around and melted into the waves.
"No," Annabeth cried, hugging Percy's body to her. She was hysterical and then in denial. Percy couldn't just leave! He was Percy Jackson for Hades's sake. "Wake up, Seaweed Brain. Open those gorgeous green eyes and look at me, please," She begged, shaking him hard. "WAKE UP!"
Nico put a hand on Annabeth's shoulder. "He's gone, Annabeth. There's nothing we can do," He told her gently. "No," it seemed to be the only word she could think of saying. "He can't be dead. No," She sobbed into Nico's shirt.
"It's gonna be alright, Annabeth, Don't worry. We're all there for you," Nico tried to console her but they were words that fell on deaf ears. "He's gone," She cried, "He promised he would never leave me. As long as we were together! He left me!" She sobbed hysterically. "He's gone!"
"It hurts! I just wanna be there with him," shesaid. "You will be there with him, Annabeth. Just not now. And he'll always be with you in your heart and every time you look into the waves," Nico said, "He'll always be there with you."
They had a feast later on; there were a lot of things to be happy about. Defeating Gaia and the giants, preventing a civil war, being alive; but no one was really in a chirpy mood. "To new friends," The campers toasted and everyone roared.
"To the Gods for helping us win this battle," Chiron raised his goblet. Every single camper stayed silent. "Heroes, we have to honor the gods," he said. "Oh bullshit," Clarisse said from the Ares/Mars table.
Her face was puffed up and red from crying. "What the fuck did they do?" "Clarisse," Chiron warned. "Oh stop it, can't do anything except fight and bully us. They're three thousand years old and yet they act so immaturely," Clarisse rebuffed him.
"If your father hears this—" Chiron was once again cut by Clarisse, "What will he do? Pulverize me? He wouldn't stand a chance against me let alone every demigod here. If he was a proper war god, he would've been here offering whatever aid he could.
"This was war and what did the war god do? He sat upon his stupid throne and watched us like we were a baseball game and pointing out the mistakes we were doing instead of helping us out," looking at the sky, she cried out, "Cowards!"
The sky didn't even rumble. She looked back at Chiron, "Percy's dead because Zeus was afraid on what would happen if father and son united. They could take over the world. Hypocrite! He changed Thalia into a tree when she was going to die and he couldn't understand was Poseidon was going through?
"He implemented the rule of never keeping in contact or helping the demigods. Yet he still helped Thalia," Clarisse said. She sat back down and raised her goblet, "To Percy Jackson, the greatest demigod, friend and leader who'll ever exist." She said.
"To Percy," everyone said vigorously. "To every demigod who fought against Gaia, to us," Annabeth yelled. "To us," the cry sounded throughout the pavilion. Chiron sat in silence worrying about how the gods might get angry and how he can save his demigods from their wrath.
HOPE YOU GUYS LIKED THIS :) SORRY IT HAS TO BE LIKE THIS. NEXT CHAPTER ON FRIDAY (25/12/14) IF I GET 15 REVIEWS. AND PLEASE, ONLY REVIEWS ABOUT MY STORY. AND TO THOSE WHO REVIEWED ABOUT THE STORY {SPQRslytherin, Aroissa, percabeth endgame, iswim, William Carstairs, zejaykay}, THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH FOR GIVING ME VALUABLE REVIEWS AND ENCOURAGING ME ON MY STORY.