Chapter 6
Greetings readers! I hope that all of you enjoyed reading the previous chapter!
I would like to thank JoJo 'Perlia' Jesus for your continued support!
I would like to thank Jon 'Fatjon' Umber for your support! I am thrilled that you enjoy this story!
Audrey Lucencio Royo: I am sorry, I got incredibly busy and was unable to work on any story for a while. But now I'm back! Thank you for your continued support!
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Guest reviewer: I am thrilled that you enjoyed the previous chapter so much. Yes, I have tried to start off with Percy as an arrogant character because I have a lot to work off of, from here. Thank you for your continued support!
SOLARIS: I'll find different ways to say amoral hedonist, thanks for the input! I will also expound more on why it didn't work out between Percy and Annabeth as we delve deeper into the story. Thank you for your continued support!
Spacestrider: Absolutely, this will not be one of those cliché stories where Percy and Annabeth break up because she cheats on him with the next hot stuff and stupid plotlines like that. It'll have way more depth and nuance than that. Thank you for your continued support!
Ryan Fowler: I guess that would be a fun thing to write with Khione but honestly, I don't want to turn this story into some love triangle. I want it to stay plot driven with romance on the side. Thank you for your input and continued support!
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wanderinghawk1: Exactly, I wanted to show that Percy is not a character who would hesitate to do whatever he wanted to do, and killing most certainly doesn't phase him. Thank you for your support!
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All credit for the characters goes exclusively to Rick Riordan and to the owners of the DCEU.
Diana really did not like the grim undertone to Percy's voice. She had deduced by now that this was a man who was very indifferent to people's suffering, someone who showed a general apathy towards the state of the world. And if there was something that actually worried him, it was very, very bad news.
"As both of you will know by now, humans aren't really the only sentient species out there in the world. There are tens of thousands, maybe even millions of others out there in the universe. Even the Olympian gods and Titans, are really just another race of beings rather than some divine gods. Of course, they don't want you thinking that, but it is what it is." Percy calmly revealed, catching both Diana as well as Bruce off-guard.
"How is that possible? How are they so powerful then? And if they are really of a different species, how is it possible for them to sire children with humans?" Diana quizzed.
"Their power can be explained by the fact that they are able to access higher dimensions, unlike mortals who have access to only three bidirectional spatial and one unidirectional temporal dimension. That's what gives them what we call metaphysical powers, basically the ability to manipulate matter and energy around them in ways that look like magic to us. As for how they sire demigod children, these beings can play with matter and reality, do you really think interspecies divergence will prevent them from siring offspring?" Percy dryly shot back. And Diana wisely decided to not respond to that.
"If the gods are really just another race of beings like Kryptonians, and so much more superior to humans, why haven't they actually conquered the Earth? Doesn't this show that they are not really who we have to worry about." Bruce calmly pointed out.
"I am afraid that the matter is a little more complicated than that, Mr Wayne. You see, the universe as we know of it, originated from one single entity. Different cultures call it different names, not just human cultures, even alien cultures know about this primordial entity. The Olympians called it Chaos. And Chaos is the primordial void of space, basically representing the entire universe. From Chaos, the first beings of creation arose, each entity representing an integral part of the universe. The Olympians called them Aether, the protogenos of light and by extension, energy, Erebus, the protogenos of darkness, and by extension, gravity. Chronos, the protogenos of time, Ananke, the protogenos of destiny, and Pontus, the protogenos of water. These were the first beings in the universe, and the ones who created life as it exists." Percy expounded in great detail.
"What does all this have to do with what we are talking about?" Diana curiously asked.
"It has everything to do with what we are talking about, Miss Prince. You see, these Old Gods, as most cultures refer to them, were the ones who created stars, galaxies, planets, and the ones from whom all living things, god, other protogenoi, alien or human, descend from. The Kryptonians collectively referred to these six as The Source. And many other alien cultures have different names for them, but the context is the same. But you see, while there are an uncountable number of planets, there is something about Earth that is special. Something very, very special." Percy revealed with a straight face.
"What exactly do you mean, when you say special? Surely, there must be plenty of more resource rich planets and star systems in the universe than ours. What is it about us that's so special?" Bruce gruffly responded.
"Think about it, Mr Wayne. Your points are right. There must be hundreds, if not millions of other star systems which are more suited for life, than our own, in more ways than one. Yet, super-powerful beings like the second protogenoi, Titans, gods have all fought brutal wars since time immemorial for this mildly populated wet piece of rock orbiting a mid range star. Even though the gods are perfectly capable of colonizing thousands of other planets and star systems, which can and do support more primitive forms of life than them, they still stay confined to Earth. Why? Surely, it can't just be because they're lazy. With all their advanced powers and ability to use higher dimensions, interstellar travel and terraforming are not really challenges for them. Each one of them is capable of colonizing an entire star system on their own, yet they all stay cramped on Earth. Not a single immortal being, has ventured away from Earth. Not in the dozens of millennia since they first popped into existence. So, tell me now, do you think laziness is the only thing holding them back?" Percy asked as his sea green eyes intensely bore into Bruce and Diana.
"Not just this, I did a little information gathering, in the Kryptonian ship where Lex Luthor brought his abomination to life and while I am yet to find a way to access their database, I found out from my sources in the Divine World, that tens of millennia ago, Kryptonians sent seven massive fleets to Earth, one after the other, to conquer the planet. And each time, they were repulsed by the Titans. Why would the Titans, a race of beings renowned for their cruelty and utter disregard for the lives of humans, actually fight for Earth, not once, but seven times against the Kryptonians, who you now know by experience, were an extremely dangerous interstellar military force. Wouldn't it have been so much easier to just leave Earth to the Kryptonians rather than wasting so much effort?" Percy dropped another bombshell as he cut and ate another piece of steak.
"Kryptonians have attacked the Earth before?!" Diana asked with shock evident in her eyes.
"Yes. And not just them, there have been multiple other invasions of Earth. Each of which, have been repulsed by the either protogenoi, Titans or gods. These immortals have fought brutal wars not just among themselves, but also with all other races advanced enough to mount an invasion of Earth. That can mean only one thing – there is something very, very special on Earth." Percy concluded as he took a deep sip from his glass of wine.
"Do you know what that something is?" Bruce asked, in a voice that was much quieter than before.
"Unfortunately, not. But whatever that thing is, it's the only reason why the gods are protecting us, and also the thing putting a universe wide mark on our backs. And given how integral this must be to the gods, it's no wonder that even my closest and most reliable sources of information don't want to share this knowledge with me. Hell, I am pretty sure almost all the gods, barring a handful, don't even know what this special thing is or that there is some special thing here on Earth." Percy revealed with a condescending chuckle.
"Is there a way for us to find out?" Bruce asked.
"I don't know, Mr Wayne. And to be entirely honest with you, I don't really care about it that much. At least not enough to rile up my sources in the Divine World. Whatever it is, as long as it keeps the gods even a little on their toes, is enough for me to live the life I want. I am just sharing this with you to get you off my tail and for you to just let me enjoy my life. What you do with this information, is of no concern to me." Percy answered in a nonplussed tone.
"Is all of this nothing but a game to you? You have the power to be good, to do good. And you willingly choose not to do it? I refuse to believe that a through and through coward like you was ever a hero. Did you really go into voluntary self-exile or were you exiled for your total cowardice? Were you exiled because you didn't give a damn even when your own kith and kin died?" Bruce angrily questioned.
The atmosphere instantly shifted when Bruce made those remarks and Percy's eyes hardened and darkened to a cold emerald green immediately. And before either Diana or Bruce could react, they were hit by an explosion of blue mist and when they reopened their eyes, they found themselves on a cliff in the Italian countryside.
Standing in front of them was Percy, with his eyes now swirling violently, like a raging hurricane. And a fraction of a second later, an extremely sharp dagger of ice zipped next to Bruce's face, barely close enough to cut a mild gash along his cheek before he could even react, and then completely embedding itself into a thick tree trunk behind Bruce, leaving both Bruce, and to a lesser extent, Diana, completely shocked.
"Do not think I missed, mortal. If I wanted, I could chop you into a thousand little pieces right here and disperse you into every corner of the world through the sea behind me. And even if Miss Prince tried to save you, I would overpower her using the power of being next to my home element, and ensure that you were sliced sashimi. And you know what? No one, absolutely no one, would be able to do a damn thing about it." Percy stated with a steely glint in his eyes.
"Do not assume you know what I have been through in my past. Your little sob story of losing your parents to some petty criminal is nothing in front of the tragedy that was my old life. Not mourn the death of my own kith and kin? I lost count of how many of my own whose shrouds I have burnt. I walked through a literal hellhole, where the water is liquid fire, the ground is piercing glass shards and the air is toxic, for the woman I once loved. I have been put through more misery in one fraction of a lifetime than you will see in a hundred full lifetimes." Percy harshly stated with a cold ruthlessness burning in his eyes.
"Mr Jackson, I understand you have been through a lot. And believe me, I know what it costs to be a hero. But isn't that what we strive for? To make the world a better place so that others don't have to go through the same misery we went through?" Diana asked in a soft voice.
"I don't give a damn about what happens in others' lives. I just want to live the rest of my life the way I want. Not being some hero on a pedestal and doing good." Percy replied in a jaded voice with his eyes turning distant.
"As of you, Mr Wayne, this is the last time I will warn you. The next time I find you looking for me, and believe me, I will know if you're looking for me, it will be last time you look for anything." Percy threatened with such a deadly glare that Bruce felt his spine explode with fear. And a second later, Percy promptly disappeared in a blue mist.
A few months later, after conducting extensive searches about what the mystery on Earth was, that was attracting all the powerful beings in the universe, and failing, Diana and Bruce finally realised that they needed Percy's help in order to be able to at least identify who was coming after them. And they had to find him and get to know about their opponents fast, because every day they wasted, their unknown enemy got stronger.
That brought Diana to where she currently was, on a beach in the Peloponnese, and unsurprisingly, Percy Jackson had set up shop there, with a table and two chairs, and was occupying one of them.
"Hello Miss Diana, please take a seat. I assume you are here to talk to me? Where's Mr Wayne? I was hoping he would show up as well." Percy greeted with a smirk as he gestured at the single, empty seat in front of him and Diana accepted his offer, albeit with a hint of caution.
"Drop the act, Mr Jackson. You knew I was coming here. And you knew that I was coming here alone." Diana stated with an unamused look on her face.
"I was hoping that you would play along but alas! You've seen through my façade. Tell me, Miss Diana, what can I do for you?" Percy asked with a smile of grandiose generosity on his face.
"Tell me, Mr Jackson, how do you keep such precise tabs on us? You seem like a very dangerous man and I am not very comfortable with having someone as morally indifferent as you keeping tabs on me." Diana neutrally stated as Percy poured her a glass of wine but the statement felt more like a warning.
"Miss Diana, the trees, rivers and lakes have eyes and ears. And the wind carries all the information its friends see to every corner of this world. The gods are too arrogant to recognise the power of this channel of information but I am not as conceited as them to ignore such valuable assets. And access to this almost omniscient stream of information can be bought over with a private fortune of drachma and denarii. It's a very expensive network to maintain but the benefits it offers are worth it. Plus, when you control the flow of information, you can also turn yourself into a ghost." Percy explained rather vaguely as he poured himself a glass of wine.
"As for you feeling uncomfortable with me having knowledge of your every move, I assure you, I don't listen in on your private affairs. My eyes and ears are only wide open when you take any actions that concern me." Percy smoothly assured, alleviating some of Diana's concerns.
"I saw a few footages of your draconian form and I have to say, I was positively stunned by how powerful you seemed to be in it. Care to share the secret to how that's possible?" Diana questioned causing Percy to smirk widely.
"That Miss Diana, is my azure dragon form. Something that was inspired by the myths about the majestic dragon gods of the sea during my trips to Japan and China. It's my trump card and something I perfected just about an year ago. As the name suggests, it covers my body in azure coloured ice scales that significantly increase my durability, strength, speed and agility. I also get a rather destructive tail with a mace at the end that can be used to batter enemies. Along with that, it covers me in a raging mini hurricane that slows opponents down and also gives me complete control over ice and steam. The ice is about minus two hundred degrees and its primeval frigidness can freeze anything, given enough exposure. The steam pillars I can breathe out have enough pressure to break buildings and are as hot as a blazing white fire. It turns me, a lowly partially immortal demigod, into a being of divine strength." Percy answered without skipping a bit.
"How come you didn't use that form when you fought that monstrosity with all of us?" Diana asked with slightly narrowed eyes, suddenly feeling that maybe, the son of Poseidon could have done something to prevent Clark's current predicament.
"I can use it only for a three or four minutes at best, Miss Diana. And the cool down period for using it again is about a third of a year, unless I want to kill myself, which I am not a fan of." Percy sarcastically responded as he took a sip of wine.
"Four months? And just for four minutes?" Diana incredulously asked.
"I am not a god. I am merely a partially immortal demigod. I don't have nearly unlimited stamina. My azure dragon form gives me godlike attributes for a few minutes but it comes at a cost. And if I am lucky, I will never have to use it again. It puts an incredible amount of strain on my body, which is something I want to avoid." Percy calmly answered as took another sip of his wine.
"Never use them again?! In that form, you seemed to be even stronger than Clark. With him gone, you can now be Earth's greatest defender. We know that there is an attack coming. You could be a part of something greater. A part of a group of individuals who can protect this world." Diana tried to convince Percy but her voice fell on deaf ears.
"I said it that day and I will say it again, I am not interested in being a hero ever again. Fighting against Doomsday was strictly a one-off circumstance. And the only reason I ever fought Doomsday was because it aligned with my goals at that point. Now that you and Mr Wayne are taking over for Mr Kent, along with your group of meta-humans, there is no need for me to play the hero gig. I would rather enjoy my eternal life." Percy impassively answered as he ate another piece of steak.
"You truly are indifferent to the suffering of others, aren't you?" Diana accused with a scowl of disgust.
"Yes, and I proudly embrace that apathy. You know why? Because it lets me put myself and my happiness first." Percy retorted with an infuriating smirk.
"Then why train yourself to such an extent? Why even come up with such a taxing and powerful form?" Diana questioned as she intensely stared at Percy.
"My disinterest in getting involved in hero work does not mean I leave myself vulnerable, Miss Diana. I have fought my way through a literal hellhole. I know of the dangers that lurk above and below me and I am always prepared to deal with them, if absolutely necessary. Most importantly, I don't trust the gods, especially not your father. Nor do I trust any of your Olympian half-siblings. They may be better than the Titans or the Gigantes but that doesn't make them good. They are all arrogant, paranoid, conniving pigs. And they run the world like a divine mafia. My azure dragon form is my contingency plan. If required, I can surprise any one of those arrogant gods and make a speedy getaway." Percy expounded without losing his composure but there was the barest hint of anger and bitterness in his voice.
"You are a man who has suffered a lot, Perseus. You aren't the only one who did your homework. I pulled a few strings and got some information on you. You have a rather legendary reputation in the Divine World. You were an exemplary commander and a very noble leader. Saved the world twice. Beat two Titans, including the Titan King, when you were sixteen and fought off the Earth Mother and her draconian offspring a year later. You were the definition of a hero. But you grew disillusioned and have now become an anti-thesis of what you once were. But I still believe that there's good in you. Good that can be reignited once again." Diana recounted before ending on a passionate note.
"That Perseus Jackson is dead, Miss Diana. You are ten years too late to avail his services. And you are not talking to his anti-thesis either. I am not a hero, neither am I some villain or an anti-hero. I won't go out of my way to hurt people, but I won't go out of my way to help them either. I have achieved the state of synthesis. Good, evil, order, chaos, these are all immaterial to me. I will do whatever I want, whenever I want, however I want, based on what I want. It's very, very simple. I have no boundaries." Percy answered with an air of finality.
"That's what you like to tell yourself. But it's not the truth. You were touted as the greatest hero who ever walked the Earth. You were the Divine World's greatest beacon of hope. Heroes like you come only once in a millennium. I refuse to believe that the great hero Percy Jackson is truly dead." Diana softly whispered.
"I assure you, Miss Diana, that Percy Jackson is dead. In my old life, I walked through hell for people who hadn't even walked through a street for me, that's the kind of person I was, but not anymore. Now, at best, I'm only going to reciprocate to what I am given. And sometimes, I will take without giving one bit. And I won't feel a shred of remorse while doing so. You know why? Because I have given all I have, many times over. The universe owes me a debt for an eternity." Percy answered with a faraway look in his eyes.
"I was hoping that you would be more fun than Mr Wayne, Miss Diana. But it seems like I was mistaken. If this is all you want to talk about, I am afraid our interaction ends here." Percy stated with a sigh and was about to disappear but Diana stopped him.
"Wait, don't go. I was hoping you would join us and help us out, but if not that, could you at least tell us who we are fighting?" Diana asked, causing Percy to pause.
"As I said the other day, Miss Diana, I do not know who the enemy is." Percy answered with sincerity.
"Can you find out?" Diana asked, her electric blue eyes shining with cautious optimism.
"I could, but it's too much work." Percy calmly replied.
"Mr Jackson, after all the months I've spent trying to track you down, you should do at least this, or else all my effort will be in vain. I would do it myself if I could, but I don't have access to a very powerful network like you do. Besides, think of it like this, the faster we found out who the problem is, the faster we deal with it, which means, the less of a chance there is that you will have to get involved." Diana rationalized.
Percy wanted to say no, he really did. It was likely going to take him a painfully long amount of time as well as a lot of effort, along with a hell lot of money, to conduct such a research, but despite his best attempts, those electric blue eyes full of guarded hope, they reminded him too much of what he had had in his own eyes once.
"Very well then, Miss Diana. I shall do this, but this is a strict one-off. Do not expect any combat related help from me. Neither now, nor in the future." Percy stated after a long pause.
"Of course, when shall I contact you again?" Diana asked without skipping a beat.
"No no, this is not a job that I can do just by asking around. Even if I use my contacts, there's going to be a fair bit of digging I'll have to do on my own. And that's all hard work. Which you're going to help me out with. Plus, you have a line with the original Amazons, that's a very valuable line of information." Percy answered in a calm voice.
"Alright then, Mr Jackson. I look forward to collaborating with you." Diana stated with a small smile.
This was what she wanted, if she was in the middle of things, and was able to figure this out side by side with him, rather than relying exclusively on him to get back to her, she would have more control on both the pace as well as the nature of the search.
"Likewise, Miss Diana. I would advise you get some good rest tonight. Our search starts tomorrow." Percy stated with a similar smile. If he were being honest with himself, it would be nice to unravel this mystery. Especially with a woman as beautiful as Diana Prince.
Hey guys! I'm sorry it took so long to get this out, it's just that I've gotten so busy lately that I barely get any time to write these days. But I couldn't just abandon these stories, so no matter how long it takes, I shall see them through.
In this chapter, I've set up the stage a little more for the conflict with Steppenwolf and have also sparked off the beginning of the Percy X Diana pairing.
Read and review, I hope that all of you enjoyed reading this chapter, have a wonderful day!