Heloooo people! BigSchwart here bringing you the next chapter of my very first fanfic. I'm really sorry about the wait but my computer broke and it is probably going to take a while for me to write my chapters now because I'm looking for a new laptop. Sorry! I'm actually uploading this from school so yeah, special thanks to my new beta Bloodtributes. As always: reviews, constructive criticism and ideas are much appreciated. Flames will be laughed at, possible and probable OOC. Let me know what you think though Reviews, those things are awesome :)
.
DISCLAIMER: As much as I want to, I do not own PJO or HoO or any of its characters etc. they all belong to the genius that is Rick Riordan
.
.
Annabeth looked with concern at Percy. The son of Poseidon sat on the floor leaning against the wall of Damasen's huge hut with Riptide lying on the floor beside him, he rested his elbows on his knees and stared at the opposite wall, completely ignoring the giant and the Titan who were arguing about the best way to escape, as well as the gods who were passed out on the bed behind Annabeth. Tartarus was sapping their strength and they were trying to conserve it for the escape. Annabeth glanced around the now familiar hut, with its blazing fire in the centre and huge cooking pot that hung over it, the 20 foot bed on one wall and the shelves filled with all sorts of odds and ends on the other. Annabeth sighed, it was about time they made their move and left Tartarus behind. She slowly made her way over to Percy, she wouldn't ever admit it but he scared her earlier. When he held her by the throat she had been truly scared when she saw the anger in his eyes, it was like he didn't recognise her, like his anger had made him forget.
"Perce?" she asked gently, unsure of whether he would respond or not.
"Yeah?" he sighed tiredly.
"We're gonna have to move soon," she said kindly. Percy wordlessly climbed to his feet and headed to where the gods were passed out. Percy splashed them with water and they all sat up, complaining loudly until they saw the glare that Percy was giving them
"We're leaving, now." Percy said to the gods. It wasn't a question or a request; it was a statement. Without another word Percy headed to the door and walked out of the hut. Seconds later they heard a massive thud that shook the entire hut. Annabeth remembered with a jolt of fear that the Drakon had not been killed today and that it was just outside the door, the door that Percy had just walked through.
"Percy!" the daughter of Athena screamed and ran to the door, stopping to glance at the gods, only to find them passed out again as though nothing had happened. She quickly shoved the gods out of her mind and ran out the door, followed closely by Damasen. The scene that greeted the pair caused them both to freeze in shock. The drakon lunged away from them; deeper into the gloomy swamp, intent on something that they couldn't see. They could make out a figure dodge to the side and slash a sword viciously, they saw the figure jump onto the Drakon's fearsome head and suddenly Annabeth realized who it was, it was Percy. The son of Poseidon raised his sword and plunged it into the eye of the Drakon; the beast roared loudly, enough to shake the entire swamp. It jerked its head and Percy was thrown off, slamming into a tree with enough force to break the dead tree in two. Annabeth rushed over to help Percy while Damasen charged forward and tackled the monster. The two of them rolled further into the swamp of foul water and dead trees.
When Annabeth reached Percy, he was just beginning to sit up. Annabeth knelt beside him.
"Percy! Are you okay?" she asked in a concerned voice. Percy merely grunted and climbed to his feet, his eyes nearly glowing with anger in the dim light. Percy abandoned Riptide and charged back towards Damasen and the Drakon. Annabeth watched in a mixture of fear and awe as Percy charged the Drakon unarmed; she watched as the Drakon slashed Damasen and the giant fell; she watched as Damasen slowly regained his feet, Percy distracting the monster to give the giant time to recover, risking his own life with every step. Annabeth drew her sword and cautiously moved towards the Drakon, pulling out her Yankee cap as she went.
.
Percy was aware of nothing as his instincts controlled the movements of his body; he instinctively dodged, ducked and rolled to avoid the deadly attacks of the Maeonian Drakon. The Drakon roared and spun, slamming its tail against the son of Poseidon. Percy was again launched through the air, he landed painfully on his left arm, hearing an audible crunch; he knew something was wrong, he suspected a dislocation. Percy rose to his knees, clutching his injured shoulder. He looked up to see the Drakon advancing him.
It was a shame, he thought, that he had come so close to being freed and returning to camp, only to be killed now. As Percy prepared himself for death in Tartarus, the Drakon moved towards him, its hide was green and yellow. He dully noted that its eyes were the same shade of sea green as his, and it was huge, easily as long as a subway train. The Drakon moved closer, Percy could see Damasen beginning to stir behind the beast but he would not be able to stop the Drakon and Annabeth was too far away. As he had the thought he turned his head to look over at Annabeth; but she wasn't there. Percy assumed she had left to get the gods but an ear-shattering roar drew his attention back to the Drakon. Percy saw something that shocked him but didn't surprise him: a certain blonde haired daughter of Athena stood atop the Drakon's head with her sword, made from the bones of this very Drakon and plunged it deep into the monster's eye. Dark green blood poured from the wound, polluting the already foul ground of the swamp, the Drakon began twisting and jumping in an effort to dislodge Annabeth. Percy staggered to his feet, still clutching his wounded shoulder. He swung his left arm out and violently twisted his shoulder. He heard and felt a loud crunch as his shoulder was forced back into its socket; the pain was so great he collapsed to his knees again. The Drakon roared again and bucked its head violently, finally Annabeth's grip broke and she was sent flying through the air, she landed near Percy and she landed hard.
"Annabeth!" Percy rushed towards her, her eyes were closed but she was breathing. "Oh you are so asking for it," snarled Percy, turning to the Drakon. His eyes glowing green in the gloom. He charged forward, drawing Riptide as he went.
.
Damasen came soon after and glanced up to see the son of Poseidon battling the Drakon. However, the Giant noticed that Percy kept himself between the Drakon and Annabeth at all times. Percy lunged forward, burying his sword in the Drakons foreleg; immediately he backed off as the Drakon slashed its other talon at him, leaving Riptide in its place. Seeing a gap, Percy lunged forward again and pulled Riptide free only to spin and slash the celestial bronze blade across the other leg, avoiding another attack in the process.
"What in Gaia?" whispered Damasen to himself as he noticed that Percy's eyes were actually blazing with a green light that seemed to radiate power
Damasen clambered to his feet and stood at his full height, he cast his eyes around, knowing that the Drakon could only be killed one way. His eyes landed on the tree that Percy had broken before, he made his way over to it with surprisingly little audible noise, though with the battle that was being fought it was no wonder no one noticed him. Damasen gripped the tree and hefted it easily
"Get out of the way Perseus!" he roared as he charged toward the pair, two sets of green eyes swung towards him, unnerving him slightly; but he continued on and, when the Drakon roared at him, drove the tree down its throat and using a little of his power, he willed the tree to grow again. The new roots dug through the monsters flesh and into the ground. Damasen back away a few steps, dusting his hands off with a satisfied look on his face.
.
"Annabeth! Come on Annie please!" begged Percy. Tears threatened to fall from his eyes. He kneeled beside the daughter of Athena with her head resting on his lap.
"Don't call me Annie" she murmured so quietly that Percy almost didn't hear her, the stormy grey eyes that Percy could get lost in, slowly fluttered open. Percy couldn't say anything, so he hugged her; trying to convey to her all his relief and fear through the contact that he hadn't had for two years.
"Come on Seaweed, I'm alright. Let me up," Annabeth said into his bare chest, but when he didn't move she wrapped her arms around his waist.
"I can't lose you Annabeth, not when I just got you back" Percy whispered into her hair. Annabeth looked up and was shocked to see tears freely streaming down his face
"I just can't lose you Wise girl." he said quietly. Annabeth cupped his cheek in her hand. Percy closed his eyes and held the hand on his face
"I'm not going anywhere Seaweed Brain." she said sincerely
.
An hour later, the group left the relative safety of Damasen's hut and head out of the swamp. They made their way to the main entrance of Tartarus. Nothing attacked them while they walked. What monster would be foolish enough to attack the Olympian Council, a Titan, a giant, two of the most famous demigods of their time and one of them arguably being the most powerful demigod to ever live? They made it to their destination without incident. They stopped and Percy glanced around wondering how they would get out of this literal hellhole. His gaze fell on a winged figure that was making its way slowly towards them. Percy cautiously pulled out his lethal ballpoint pen, but didn't draw it yet; there was something familiar about the man. When the man was close enough for Percy to make out his features he suddenly realized why he looked so familiar
"Thanatos" he said, he had had a lot of near encounters with the personification of death
"Perseus, it's been awhile" the god of death said emotionlessly "My Lords and Ladies, if you would follow me" he swept his arm out to draw their attention to something behind him. When they looked passed Thanatos, they saw a set of silver and black elevator doors standing behind him
"The doors of Death huh?" asked Bob "Well, that is better than my idea."
"What was your idea?" asked Thanatos.
"Climb." stated Bob, gesturing at the miniscule pinprick of light above them.
"Yeah, I'll stick with my Doors." Thanatos replied evenly.
"What are we standing here for? Let's get out of here" said Hades impatiently.
"Of Course My Lord," replied his lieutenant, Thanatos walked towards his doors and after a seconds of hesitation, the others trailed after him and entered the elevator, leaving Tartarus behind as they rocketed back to the world of the living.
.
.
Okay, well there we go. Percy is out! I welcome any suggestions as to what could happen throughout his recovery :) That's all for now
.
BigSchwart Out