Chapter number 3! A huge thanks to fugy and Anaklusmos404 for commenting on both chapters.
Hope y'all enjoy!
CHAPTER 3: COOKIES AND NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCES
The days unfolded with a plethora of tests, homework, and lectures.
And pop quizzes.
So many pop quizzes.
Like, a ridiculous amount of pop quizzes.
Dr. Thorn's watchful eyes seemed to follow Percy's every move, a silent reminder of the strict discipline maintained within the institution.
So yeah, Percy didn't think Westover was all that great.
It was a gray Wednesday afternoon, and the classroom felt even more boring than usual. Percy slouched in his desk, staring blankly at the front of the room where Dr. Thorn was droning on about the nuances of Elizabethan literature. The teacher's French accent grated on Percy's nerves.
Of all teachers, of course Dr. Thorn had to take over the English class.
"Remember," Dr. Thorn was saying, "the key to understanding Shakespeare is to immerse yourself in his world. To truly grasp the meaning of his plays, you must think like a playwright."
Percy tried to focus, but his mind kept drifting. He was tired of the relentless string of pop quizzes and the constant pressure to perform perfectly. At least he wasn't alone in feeling this way - his classmates seemed equally exhausted.
As the bell rang, signaling the end of the period, Percy gathered his things and headed to the cafeteria. He was looking forward to a bit of respite, if only for a few minutes. The cafeteria was bustling with students, the usual din of conversation and clinking cutlery filling the air.
Percy spotted Bianca and Nico sitting at their usual table and made his way over. They greeted him with friendly waves as he slid into a seat.
"How's it going?" Bianca asked, her eyes bright despite the stressful week.
"Surviving," Percy replied, reaching for his tray. "I'm starting to think Dr. Thorn has a personal grudge against me. Or maybe he just hates new students."
Bianca laughed. "Yeah, he can be a bit intense. But he's a good teacher once you get used to him. Just don't let him get under your skin."
"Good teacher? He's given me," Percy counted on his fingers. "Six pop quizzes in the past two weeks!"
Nico was already busy eating his lunch, a sandwich and an assortment of snacks. "You think that's bad? Wait until you see the final exam. Dr. Thorn's tests are legendary."
"Great," Percy muttered, grabbing a brownie from the tray and breaking it in half. "Just what I needed to hear."
As they ate, Percy tried to push away his growing sense of dread. The cookie was surprisingly good, and he focused on savoring the sweet treat as a small moment of solace. He was almost finished with his cookie when he heard a commotion from across the cafeteria.
A group of students had gathered around a table, and their animated chatter quickly drew Percy's attention. Curious, he leaned over to get a better view. It appeared that someone had brought in a stack of homemade cookies, which were being eagerly sampled by the crowd.
"Those look amazing," Bianca said, eyeing the cookies.
Nico nodded. "Yeah, they're from a girl in our English class. I heard she's a pretty good baker."
Percy's interest was piqued. "Really? I haven't met her yet."
"Her name's Drew," Bianca said. "She's in our class and seems pretty nice. She's always bringing in treats. Pretty popular."
"Well, I guess I'm going to have to meet her then," Percy said, standing up.
He made his way over to the table where Drew was handing out cookies. Her smile was warm, but there was a glint in her eyes that hinted at… something. The cookies looked and smelled incredible.
And they were blue, Percy noted. That might already be enough to put Drew on his good list.
"Hi!" Drew greeted as he approached, her tone as sweet as the cookies she was offering. "Want a cookie?"
Drew was definitely on the good list.
"Absolutely," Percy replied, accepting one of the cookies and taking a bite. They weren't just blue, they were good. "Thanks, Drew. These look amazing."
Drew's smile widened, and she leaned in slightly, lowering her voice in a conspiratorial tone. "I know, right? I made them myself. They're my little secret weapon for making friends."
Percy chuckled, taking a bite. "Well, they're working. These are fantastic. You've definitely got a talent."
"Oh, I have many talents, Percy. Baking is just one of them. But it's always nice to know when something I made is appreciated." She tossed her hair over her shoulder, clearly pleased with his reaction.
As Percy chatted with Drew and enjoyed the cookies, he found himself caught in the rhythm of her banter. The conversation flowed effortlessly, with Drew steering it. They talked about their favorite books and classes, and though Percy was genuinely enjoying the interaction, he couldn't shake the feeling that Drew was always a step ahead, subtly guiding the conversation where she wanted it to go.
But the moment was short-lived. A loud crash erupted from across the room, followed by a startled scream. Percy spun around to see a group of students in a panic, with one of the tables overturned and a mess of spilled food and drink scattered across the floor.
"What's going on?" Drew asked.
She and Percy exchanged worried glances. "I don't know, but it looks like something's wrong," Percy said.
Percy hurried over to the scene, weaving through the crowd. He saw that a large, heavy object had fallen from a nearby shelf, narrowly missing one of the students who was now on the floor, looking dazed but otherwise unharmed. The other students were helping to clear the debris and make sure everyone was okay.
Percy's pulse quickened as he looked around. He spotted Dr. Thorn, who had arrived on the scene and was barking orders to the students and staff.
"Everyone stay calm!" Dr. Thorn's voice rang out. "Make sure no one is hurt and clear the area!"
Percy noticed Drew standing off to the side, looking more amused than shaken. She caught his eye and gave him a smirk. "Well, that was unexpected," she said, her voice light and teasing as if the chaos was just another form of entertainment.
Percy walked over to her, trying to offer some comfort. "Are you okay?"
Drew nodded, though her lips curled into a wry smile. "Oh, I'm fine. Just another day at Westover, right? You'd think they'd keep things a bit more... under control."
He surveyed the damage. "Right."
"Well," Percy said, turning back to Drew, "at least the cookies were a hit. I guess we'll all need a bit of luck to get through the rest of the day."
Drew's smile turned sly. "Luck, Percy? Luck is what you make it. Besides," she added with a wink, "I have a feeling you'll be just fine. You've got that... survival instinct."
Percy nodded, feeling a strange sense of connection with Drew. "Sure. Let's just hope the rest of the day is a bit less eventful."
"Yeah," she laughed. "I never got your name."
"Percy. Percy Jackson."
She stuck out a hand to shake. "Drew Tanaka."
As he returned to his seat, he couldn't shake the feeling that Drew was someone to keep an eye on - both intriguing and a bit dangerous. Life at Westover Hall was full of surprises, and Drew Tanaka was definitely one of them.
Percy couldn't shake the feeling that Westover Hall was going to be full of incidents like this - both good and bad. One thing was for sure: life at this school was never going to be boring.
The bell rang, signaling the end of lunch, and Percy braced himself for whatever the rest of the day might bring.
He took that back - life at this school could definitely be boring.
THE SON OF SOBEK
Oh great, another day in the land of eternal gloom, Percy thought. I was just saying to myself how much I miss the smell of sulfur and despair.
Dr. Thorn's classes were a test of endurance for the students. He seemed to take a sadistic pleasure in assigning mountains of homework, berating students for the slightest mistakes, and maintaining an unwavering scowl that made Percy want to run away from the school.
Percy was reflecting on this as Thorn shouted at him for who knows what.
It was then that the room exploded. "And another thing, Jackson!" Thorn's voice cut through the classroom like a whip. "Your analysis of the Roman Empire's decline was nothing short of abysmal! Are you even paying attention?"
Percy clenched his jaw, trying to ignore the heat rising in his cheeks. He'd had enough of Thorn's condescending attitude. "I'm trying my best, sir, but-"
"Trying your best?" Thorn's eyes narrowed, his face flushed with frustration. "Your best isn't good enough! If you can't handle the material, perhaps you should reconsider your place here!"
The room fell silent. Percy's heart pounded in his chest. He felt the familiar surge of irritation boiling inside him, and he struggled to keep it in check. He was so fed up with Thorn's constant criticism that he felt like something was about to snap.
That was when it happened.
Percy's hands, which had been gripping the edge of his desk tightly, started to tingle. A few studentsturned to look at him, their expressions shifting from confusion to concern as a faint green glow began to emanate from his palms. The air around him grew heavy, and a rumble seemed to shake the floor.
"Jackson, what on earth-" Thorn's words were cut off as a sudden, violent tremor shook the classroom.
Books and papers flew off desks, and students gasped as they struggled to keep their balance. The floor cracked, and a ripple of energy surged through the room, sending shockwaves that made the lights flicker.
Percy looked down, horrified to see that his rashes had flared up, the bizarrely shaped scales on his skin glowing with an eerie, watery light. His powers, always unpredictable and difficult to control, had gone haywire in response to his frustration.
"I didn't mean-" Percy stammered, trying to calm himself, but the more he tried to suppress his abilities, the worse it seemed to get. Water began to pool around his feet, and the tremors intensified, causing the classroom to resemble a small-scale earthquake.
A few students turned to look at him, their expressions shifting from confusion to horro as the subtle glow from Percy's hands transformed into a brilliant wave of water that cascaded onto the floor. The liquid seemed to take on a life of its own, swirling and churning.
Simultaneously, the ground beneath Percy's feet began to tremble. The vibrations started as a minor quiver but soon escalated into a full-fledged quake. The classroom floor cracked with a deafening roar, and fissures snaked outwards like a spider's web, sending small bits of debris skittering across the room.
Dr. Thorn, who had been attempting to regain his composure, now stood frozen in shock, his usual scowl replaced by an expression of sheer disbelief as he watched his classroom being ravaged by Percy's out-of-control abilities.
Percy struggled to reign in his powers, but the more he tried, the more chaotic they seemed. He could feel the energy building inside him, threatening to burst out of control. The classroom was in a state of panic, with students scrambling to get away from the growing chaos.
Finally, with a burst of effort, Percy managed to subdue the worst of the tremors and the flooding water. The classroom fell eerily silent, save for the sound of Percy's ragged breathing. His heart was racing, and he felt utterly drained. The croc rashes on his arms were still glowing faintly, a reminder of his unwieldy powers.
Thorn's face was one of fury and slight astonishment. "Jackson, get out. Now. I'll deal with you later."
Percy nodded quickly, trying to ignore the stares of his classmates as he fled the room. He barely registered the murmurs and whispers that followed him down the hallway. All he could think about was how close he had come to losing control completely.
He leaned against the wall outside the classroom, taking deep breaths and trying to steady his racing heart. He had hoped to keep a low profile, to blend in and avoid drawing attention to himself. Instead, he had just made himself the center of unwanted scrutiny.
Percy punched a chair in frustration, the impact echoing louder than intended. The chair splintered under his hand, sending pieces skittering across the hallway. It was just pieces of wood at that point.
He was barely aware of the stares and whispers of his classmates as they passed by. His mind was a storm of frustration and panic.
"I'm an idiot," Percy muttered to himself, running a hand through his disheveled hair. The hallway felt constricting, the walls seeming to close in on him as his heart pounded in his chest.
Percy turned to hear Thorn telling him to go to the principal's office.
Great. Just what he needed.
THE SON OF SOBEK
Now, most people would not be staring down the secretary with a look that could melt steel. But Percy Jackson was not most people. The secretary, an older woman with a stern expression and glasses perched on the edge of her nose, looked up at him.
"You're here again, Jackson?" she asked, her tone more tired than surprised. She gestured for him to take a seat. "Principal Lestrange will see you shortly."
Percy hated this school. Seriously, what kind of a name was 'Lestrange'?
At least Drew was there too. She flashed him a sly, knowing smile from across the waiting area, her perfectly manicured nails tapping rhythmically against the arm of her chair.
"Rough day, Perseus?" she drawled.
"How do you even know my full name?" Percy rolled his eyes, leaning back in his chair. "And my day's been just peachy, Drew. Thanks for asking."
Drew smirked, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "Well, look on the bright side. At least you're not alone in the principal's office. Misery loves company, right?"
Percy wasn't in the mood for banter, but he couldn't help the small smile that tugged at his lips. "If you say so."
The secretary cleared her throat, giving both of them a sharp look that silenced the conversation.
They sat there for hours.
The clock on the wall seemed to move slower with every tick, the minutes dragging on as Percy and Drew waited in the stifling silence of the office. Percy's mind wandered, replaying the events of the day. He tried to ignore the gnawing anxiety in his gut, but it wasn't easy.
Drew, on the other hand, seemed completely unfazed. She leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs and examining her perfectly manicured nails as if she hadn't a care in the world. Every so often, she'd glance over at Percy with that same sly, knowing smile, but she didn't say a word.
Eventually, Drew mouthed Do you want to get out of here?
Percy couldn't deny it sounded tempting.
He glanced at the door to Principal Lestrange's office, then back at Drew. Her offer was unexpected, and while he knew better than to trust her completely, the idea of escaping punishment was more than a little appealing.
"What's the catch?" Percy whispered, keeping his voice low so the secretary wouldn't hear.
Drew's smile widened, a glint of mischief in her eyes. "No catch. Just figured you'd rather be with me than the principal."
Percy hesitated, his thoughts racing. On one hand, going with Drew could be a disaster waiting to happen; on the other, staying here meant facing whatever punishment that was in store for him. The memory of the classroom disaster flashed through his mind, the trembling ground, the water pooling around his feet, and the look on Thorn's face as everything spiraled out of control. The last thing he wanted was to rehash that in front of the principal.
"Alright," Percy said, decision made. "But if this goes south, I'm blaming you."
Drew's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Deal. Follow my lead."
Without another word, she stood up, making her way towards the secretary's desk with a confident stride. Percy watched, half curious and half anxious, as Drew leaned in close, whispering something that made the older woman's eyes narrow in suspicion. Drew must have said something convincing because the secretary finally sighed and waved them off.
Drew shot Percy a quick look, tilting her head towards the door. Taking the cue, Percy followed her out of the office, his heart pounding with a mix of exhilaration and nerves.
As they slipped down the hallway, Drew led them toward a side exit.
Percy had to ask. "What'd you say to her?"
Drew smirked. "I'm just good at convincing people."
"So, where exactly are we going?" Percy asked, his voice hushed.
"Just trust me, Jackson. You'll see."
"Jackson? Seriously?" Percy made a face. "Are we not on a first name basis?"
"I have a reputation to keep up."
Despite his better judgment, Percy found himself intrigued. Whatever Drew had planned, it had to be better than sitting in Lestrange's office, waiting for the hammer to drop. Besides, he could use a break from the constant tension at Westover Hall.
As they made their way out of the building, Percy couldn't shake the feeling that he was trading one kind of trouble for another. But at that moment, he didn't care.
Hey, he thought to himself with a small smirk, would you rather go somewhere with a pretty girl or stay cooped up in a stuffy office?
Drew, walking beside him with an easy confidence, seemed to read his mind. "I knew you couldn't resist a little adventure," she said with amusement. "Besides, you looked like you needed to blow off some steam."
Percy glanced over at her, raising an eyebrow. "And what exactly do you have in mind, Tanaka?"
"I thought we were on a first name basis?" Drew flashed him a mischievous grin. "Oh, I'm sure we can think of something. Westover's not the only place with surprises up its sleeve."
He wasn't sure if he should be excited or wary, but as they walked further from the school, he realized that with Drew, it was probably best to be both.
"Lead the way," Percy said, matching her grin.
Drew's eyes sparkled with the thrill of the unknown. "Oh, Percy, I knew you'd be fun."
"So where are we going?"
"I told you, you'lll find out."
Percy raised an eyebrow. "I'm sure it'll be an amazing place, filled with butterflies and rainbows," he drawled sarcastically.
Drew inspected a perfectly manicured nail. "With me, how could it not be?"
That earned a roll of the eyes from Percy. "You're a narcissist."
"I know plenty of perfectly nice and functional narcissists, thank you, so nice ableism. But as I wassaying, this is going to be fun, trust me."
As Percy and Drew stepped into the courtyard, the sense of calm was short-lived. Percy's instincts kicked in, a familiar tension curling in his gut. Something wasn't right.
They weren't alone.
Drew, who had been walking a few paces ahead, suddenly froze. Her confident demeanor shifted as she stared at something in the shadows.
"Percy," she whispered, her voice losing its playful edge. "We need to get out of here."
But it was too late.
From the shadows, a figure emerged - Dr. Thorn. But this wasn't the stern teacher who had barked orders earlier. This was something far more dangerous. As he stepped fully into the fading light, Percy's eyes widened in shock.
Thorn wasn't a man anymore. Dr. Thorn's form began to shift, his human features twisting and contorting until he was no longer a human. His body elongated, covered in coarse, tawny fur. His hands and feet morphed into massive, clawed paws. His face retained a semblance of humanity, but his eyes were cold, calculating, and predatory. Behind him, a long, muscular tail flicked, tipped with a wicked-looking scorpion stinger.
"A manticore," Percy breathed, recognition flooding his mind. His mother had told him about the monster - part man, part lion, with a venomous tail that could shoot deadly spines.
Drew took a step back, her earlier bravado completely gone. "This wasn't part of the plan," she muttered, more to herself than to Percy.
"You can see him?" Percy whispered.
"You can?"
Percy buried his face in his hands. "Oh my god. You're a demigod," he mumbled, the realization hitting him like a ton of bricks. Of course, it made sense now - her ability to convince people, the aura of confidence, the strange connection he felt to her. It all added up.
Drew's jaw dropped. "You're a demigod as well?"
"Stop
The manticore - Dr. Thorn - smirked, a horrifying expression on his distorted face. "So nice of you to join us, Mr. Jackson. And Miss Tanaka," he added with a sneer. "You both saved me the trouble of hunting you down. Only Mr and Ms di Angelo left on my list."
Bianca and Nico. Thorn wanted Bianca and Nico.
Percy's heart dropped into his stomach. Bianca and Nico. Thorn wanted Bianca and Nico.
"No," Percy breathed. "You're not going to touch them."
Thorn's smirk widened, his sharp teeth glinting in the dim light. "And who's going to stop me? You?" His tail lashed out, sending another volley of spines in their direction.
Percy barely had time to react, diving to the side and pulling Drew down with him as the spines embedded themselves in the wall behind them. His mind raced, trying to think of a way out. They were outmatched and outnumbered, and the clock was ticking.
"Drew," Percy whispered urgently, "we have to get to Bianca and Nico before he does. We can't let him take them."
"Right. But how do we get past him?"
Percy's mind raced, trying to figure out their options. They were cornered in the courtyard, with no obvious escape route. His hands clenched into fists, his muscles tensing as adrenaline surged through him.
"Do you know where their dorms are?"
"Bianca and Nico's?" Drew nodded, her earlier bravado returning in the face of danger. "I think so."
"Ok. I'll distract him."
"How?"
Percy felt his rashes flare up. "Just trust me."
"Percy," Drew said, slightly concerned. "What are you going to do?"
"Just trust me," Percy repeated, his voice more determined this time. He could feel the familiar tingling sensation beneath his skin, the croc rashes flaring up as his powers responded to the adrenaline surging through his veins. It was risky, unpredictable, but he had no other choice.
Drew hesitated for a moment, her eyes flickering with doubt, but then she nodded. "Okay, Jackson. Don't get yourself killed."
Percy flashed her a quick, tight-lipped smile. "No promises."
As Drew sprinted toward the dorms, Percy turned his attention back to Dr. Thorn. The manticore's eyes glinted with anger as he spotted Percy standing alone in the courtyard.
"Think you can play the hero, Jackson?" Thorn growled, his tail twitching menacingly. "You're just delaying the inevitable."
His heart pounded in his chest, but he didn't back down. ""I'm not saying I'm a hero, but I'm definitely not the monster who teaches history. That would be an all-time low.
Thorn growled.
Percy took a deep breath and let the power within him surge, feeling it ripple through his body like a wave. The ground beneath him trembled slightly, and Percy clenched his fists, focusing on the sensation.
"Come on, Thorn," Percy taunted, taking a step forward. "Let's see what you've got."
Thorn snarled, lunging forward with surprising speed. Percy barely had time to dodge, rolling to the side as the manticore's tail whipped through the air, narrowly missing him.
Percy's mind was a blur of thoughts and instincts. He needed to buy Drew as much time as possible. He needed to hold Thorn off.
As Thorn turned to face him again, Percy slammed his fist into the ground. The earth responded with a low rumble, and a fissure opened up beneath Thorn's feet. The manticore stumbled, his balance momentarily thrown off.
"Not bad," Thorn sneered, regaining his footing. "But it'll take more than a few parlor tricks to stop me."
Percy didn't respond, his mind already racing to the next move. He had to keep Thorn distracted, keep him focused on the fight. If Drew could reach Bianca and Nico in time, they might have a chance.
Thorn lunged again, and Percy retaliated with a blast of water from a nearby fountain, hitting the manticore square in the chest. Thorn roared in frustration, his spines bristling with venom. He let them fly.
Percy braced for impact, holding his arm in front of his body. The spikes imbedded themselves in Percy's scales. He winced as the venomous spines embedded themselves in his scales, the pain sharp and immediate. But he didn't let it slow him down. Instead, he gritted his teeth and focused on the battle at hand. He couldn't afford to falter now.
"Why won't you just give up?" Thorn hissed, his voice filled with venom.
"Because," Percy panted, his muscles burning with exertion, "that wouldn't be much fun, would it?"
He dodged another swipe from Thorn's tail, his movements growing more sluggish with each passing second. He was running out of steam, and he knew it. But he couldn't stop. Not yet.
Just a little longer, Percy thought, gritting his teeth. Drew, hurry. Percy's frustration and adrenaline surged to the forefront as he faced Thorn. His mind was focused on one thing: buying time for Drew to reach Bianca and Nico. Every muscle in his body was tensed, ready to unleash his power.
As Thorn lunged with his venomous tail, Percy dodged the strike with a swift sidestep. He was close now, close enough to make his move. The manticore's arrogance seemed to fuel his aggression, but Percy wasn't about to let that deter him.
Thorn snarled, swinging his tail in a wide arc, but Percy anticipated the move. With a burst of strength, Percy grabbed Thorn's tail mid-swing, yanking it to the side and forcing the manticore off balance. The force of the move was enough to send Thorn crashing to the ground with a surprised roar.
"You're not as tough as you think," Percy growled, his voice low and steady. His hands clenched around Thorn's tail, and with a powerful heave, he twisted it sharply, forcing Thorn to hiss in pain.
The manticore struggled, trying to regain his footing, but Percy was relentless. He followed up with a powerful kick to Thorn's side, sending him sprawling across the courtyard. Percy didn't give him a moment to recover. He was on him in an instant, grabbing Thorn by the collar of his shirt and lifting him up with surprising ease.
"You're going to regret this," Thorn spat, his eyes blazing with anger.
Percy's eyes were cold and focused. "I don't think so."
With a fierce shove, Percy slammed Thorn against the wall, the impact echoing through the courtyard. Thorn's face contorted with pain, but he didn't go down easily. He struggled against Percy's grip, trying to use his tail to swipe at him, but Percy was too fast. He grabbed Thorn's tail again, twisting it in a way that made the manticore howl in agony.
"You're not getting away with this," Percy said, his voice like steel. "Not while I'm still standing."
Percy's strength was almost beyond belief, his anger and desperation fueling every move. He could feel Thorn's struggles growing weaker as he maintained his hold, his own muscles burning from the exertion.
Thorn managed to get a clawed hand free, slashing at Percy's arm, but Percy barely flinched. The pain was nothing compared to the urgency of the situation. He tightened his grip, forcing Thorn to his knees.
"I'm not done with you yet," Percy said, his voice grim.
As Thorn groaned and tried to push back, Percy knew he couldn't hold him down forever. But for now, he had the upper hand. He could see Drew in the distance, moving quickly toward the dorms. Percy just had to keep Thorn occupied a little longer.
But Dr. Thorn was faster than Percy expected. With a sudden, fluid motion, the manticore's tail whipped forward, launching another volley of poison spines directly at him.
Percy let go of Thorn and ducked just in time as the poison spines whizzed past him, narrowly missing his head. He could feel the rush of air as they embedded themselves into the wall behind him with a sickening thud. The manticore was faster than he had anticipated, and Percy knew he couldn't afford to make any more mistakes.
Thorn took advantage of the brief moment of freedom, springing to his feet with a vicious snarl. His eyes glinted. Percy could see the manticore's muscles tensing, coiling like a spring ready to explode.
"Give it up, Jackson," Thorn hissed, his voice dripping with venom. "You can't protect them all."
Percy's mind raced. He knew he couldn't hold Thorn off much longer, but he had to keep trying. Drew was almost at the dorms, and if she could get to Bianca and Nico in time, they might have a chance to escape. But Percy needed to buy them those precious seconds.
"Maybe not," Percy shot back, trying to sound more confident than he felt. "But I can sure as hell try."
Before Thorn could react, Percy summoned all the water from the nearby fountain, directing it in a powerful jet straight at the manticore. The force of the water hit Thorn square in the chest, pushing him back and pinning him against the wall. For a brief moment, Thorn was immobilized, giving Percy a small window of opportunity.
Then he heard the bullets. Percy looked up to see… An helicopter? Really?
Percy looked up to see an attack helicopter hovering just above the treetops, its rotors chopping through the air with a deafening roar. The sight was so absurd, so out of place in the middle of this supernatural fight, that for a split second, Percy couldn't believe his eyes.
He barely had time to process the absurdity of the situation. Of course, there would be an attack helicopter in this nightmare of a day. Why not?
The helicopter's mounted guns swiveled toward him, and before he could react, a hail of bullets rained down. Percy instinctively rolled to the side, dragging Thorn with him just as the ground where they had been seconds ago was torn apart by gunfire.
Thorn took advantage of Percy's distraction, finally breaking free with a vicious swipe that sent Percy sprawling backward. The manticore staggered to his feet, his eyes wild with both pain and triumph. He glanced up at the helicopter, a cruel smile forming on his twisted face.
"Your time's up, Jackson!" Thorn snarled, his tail lashing out again, this time aimed straight at Percy's chest.
Percy scrambled to his feet, narrowly dodging the deadly spines, his mind racing. He had no idea who was in that helicopter or why they were attacking, but he knew one thing for sure: they weren't on his side. He needed to think fast.
The helicopter's guns fired again, and Percy dove behind a large stone statue, the bullets ricocheting off its surface. He could see Thorn moving toward the edge of the courtyard, clearly intending to escape and regroup.
No way, Percy thought. He wasn't about to let Thorn get away - not after everything.
Ignoring the searing pain in his side, Percy summoned the last of his strength, drawing on the water from the fountain once more. He focused it into a powerful wave, sending it crashing toward Thorn just as the manticore reached the courtyard's edge.
The wave hit Thorn with full force, slamming him into the wall and pinning him there. Percy knew he didn't have much time. He had to finish this before the helicopter could make another pass.
"Not this time," Percy growled, charging forward. With a final burst of energy, he launched himself at Thorn, landing a solid punch to the manticore's face. Thorn's head snapped back, and he crumpled to the ground, finally unconscious.
Panting, Percy looked up at the helicopter, which was now circling back around.
It was suddenly hit by… a streak of moonlight?
No, Percy realised. That was an arrow.
The silver arrow, impossibly fast and precise, had lodged itself in the helicopter's tail rotor. The chopper wobbled, its control compromised as smoke began to pour from the damaged section.
Another arrow zipped through the air, embedding itself in the side of the cockpit. The helicopter spiraled, its pilot struggling to maintain control.
It crashed into the far side of the courtyard with a deafening explosion, metal and fire erupting in a fiery ball. Percy shielded his face from the blast, the shockwave nearly knocking him off his feet.
When he looked up again, the helicopter was a smoldering wreck, the threat it posed now reduced to ashes.
Percy's heart raced as he scanned the area, searching for the source of the arrows. His gaze landed on a figure standing atop one of the nearby buildings, bathed in the soft glow of the moon, surrounded by similarly dressed figures. I The figure's bow was still raised, another arrow already nocked and ready to fly.
The moonlight caught her hair, and Percy's breath caught in his throat.
He heard her say "Permission to kill, Milady?", before she pointed an arrow at him.
He raised his arm in surrender - though he supposed the scaly limbs might not help his case. "I don't mean any harm."
The girl scowled. "So they all say, foul beast." And then she let the arrow fly.
Percy decided then and there that he really didn't like Westover.
That's a wrap! Just FYI, I don't have a pairing in mind. So... go nuts! Write a review with suggestions for a pairing, and I might just do it!
Also, Drew was so fun to write.
Review responses:
Robotdocter: Glad you liked the changes! Thank you!
BloodandFire-2-1-8-7: Oh, he for sure will be. More on that next chap.
merendinoemiliano: Thanks!
fugy: I appreciate the review! The timelines will definitely be changed. Saly being a daughter of Poseidon changes up the story quite a bit...
Anaklusmos404: Percy in Westover was a quick decision not going to lie. Bianca and Nico will have some level of knowledge of who they are. Percy's scales can be used as natural armour!
Umbra Lycan: More on Percy's powers soon! Thanks for the review.
Guest: Percy is 14.
That's the responses over! Percy's powers so far: Water control, earth manipulation (earthquakes mainly), super strength (think Hercules), and has scales.
Will definitely include Egyptian magic, but not yet.
Any thoughts, suggestions, ideas, pairings you'd like to see, critique, anything, all is appreciated.
Over and out!