Disclaimer: I do not own anything.

Warnings: Language.

Chasing Yesterday

Chapter VII

Percy knew what was going to happen to the barrier even before the earth gave a tremendous amount of shaking. He grasped Lucia's hand, not for reassurance like she thought he needed, but because he needed to make sure that she was okay. He'd lost her once. And everything that came his way seemed to be made to take her away.

He knew he was being paranoid, almost as bad as his uncle, but he couldn't help himself.

The barrier shattered into transparent pieces and the bull came charging in.

"Run!" Percy yelled, pulling Lucia away from where she once stood. The campers scattered even though the words weren't meant for them. He was dimly aware that his grip on Lucia's wrist would either break a bone or leave a bruise.

The Colchis bull roared, trashing and running through campers.

Whereas Lucia should've been running, she skidded to a halt, bringing Percy to a stop with her. "What's wrong?" the son of Poseidon demanded.

"I've got to make up for the mistakes I've made," the daughter of Hermes said seriously, prying Percy's hand off her. "If you want to help me," she added quickly when she saw Percy open his mouth. "then help me distract it. It's weak point is the moving mechanism in it. I'll spear it."

With that, she took off towards the weapons shed.

Lucia's weapons had been confiscated and she had not been allowed to join in demigod training until she was deemed trustworthy by Zeus again—this was the equivalent to never—nor is she allowed to wield any weapons unless her life was in a situation that calls for it.

This, she'd sworn by the River Styx.

Percy didn't know how they'd work their way through the loophole, all he knew was that he didn't want her to get hurt. Swearing by the Styx was serious business.

"Luce!" he cried, drawing Riptide.

The Colchis bull turned its mad, red eyes on him. It ducked its head, the tip of its horn turning into razor sharp discs. In his former life, this had never happened. At that moment, Percy knew that Annabeth had tinkered with this, maybe with the help of a child of the forge, but she'd definitely had a hand in this.

No one but the genius architect daughter Athena could've done this.

Even when he was supposed to be pissed at her, a part of Percy couldn't help but admire her genius. She may be on different sides now—it wasn't too surprising since she'd always believed that she could do better than the Olympians and she also strongly believed that the gods had abandon her, Thalia and Lucia—but that didn't stop her from being brilliant.

She might've been able to put Daedalus to shame.

From the corner of his eye, as he was busy scrambling away from the razor discs, Percy saw Lucia approaching with a spear in hand. He knew she could wield a spear well, not as good as she was with a sword, but decent enough to hold her on in battle.

She caught his eyes and nodded, thrusting the spear into an opening in the bull's armor. Lucia shoved it deeper in but it snapped and the daughter of Hermes had to retreat lest her hands were sucked in.

"Annabeth tinkered it!" Percy yelled helpfully to wipe the astonishment on Lucia's face away.

The daughter of Hermes muttered several things under her breath before she broke into a run.

Percy sprang to his feet and ran just as Clarisse jumped. He skidded to a halt, looking up in surprise. "Clarisse!" He yelled when he saw the daughter of Ares land on the Colchis Bull's back. "Don't be an idiot! Get down!"

"I can do this!" she yelled back.

"No one said you won't die!" Percy hollered, wincing when the bull bucked, throwing the daughter of Ares off him. Clarisse flew somewhere and landed on the rooftop. Percy ran after her.

"Move, move, move!"

Percy dived out of the way as a few satyrs and demigods, holding a wooden log to ram it. The brave few wisely scattered when the it showed to have no affect on the bull. Grover took off screaming despite his previous bravado and it was almost enough to make Percy laugh. Almost.

Because Clarisse was still in danger.

The daughter of Ares was bleeding, clutching her broken ribs from where she fell down the roof after being thrown off the bull that was now advancing on her. Percy knew he would never make it in time. The bull opened its mechanical mouth, spewing flames that blocked Clarisse from the son of Poseidon's view.

Percy grabbed the chains, fumbling with it; if only he could loop the bull's head and pull it away from Clarisse—if she hadn't been barbecued already.

"Bad bull."

Percy looked up in surprise when he heard Tyson's voice. He grinned when he saw his younger half-brother: his clothes were a little ruffled and covered in soot, but he had been a hero, saving Clarisse even when she mocked him relentlessly an hour earlier.

"Great job!" he called to Tyson who flashed him a thumbs-up. "Now, move!" He threw the chains. He heard it clink and fastened and the next thing he registered was being towed away.

"Percy!"

That was Lucia. Percy hoped she wouldn't be stupid enough to jump on the bull's back like Clarisse did. He didn't think he could make it in time to catch her if she fell.

With a roar, the bull spun 360-degrees, effectively throwing Percy into the wall. The son of Poseidon spluttered, tasting the copper of his blood. He was bleeding from scrapes and bruises. He winced in pain, fumbling for Riptide when the bull advanced on him.

Wait for it... he thought, willing himself to be patient. He uncapped Riptide, throwing it the moment the bull opened its mouth to fire another round of fire. He hoped he'd hit his target. He didn't want to be barbecued-Percy—his mom, Grover and Lucia would be heartbroken.

The bull backed up, doing a robot-bull-version of a convulsing fit.

Percy did the only sane thing when the bull looked like it'd malfunction and explode: he ran. But he didn't get far. He was thrown off his feet by the force of the blast only moments after.

His body ached even more and he had to cough out dust and ash. His eyesight was blurry, but that may have been because he'd hit his head when he impacted.

"Do you know how hard it is to come by a Colchis Bull, Jackson?"

The voice was distorted but not too far away from him. Percy scrambled to his feet despite his body's protests, grabbing Riptide that remained unscathed, scrambling to his feet. He brandished his sword threateningly.

"I know you're there, Annabeth," he called, trying not to falter. Annabeth Chase was once his best friend, even though she didn't know it, and he loved her dearly. He couldn't bring himself to fight her even though he knew she was no push-over. "Show yourself."

The wayward daughter of Athena clapped, her chuckles following soon after: a mocking sound that stabbed Percy where it hurts the most.

"Bravo, Jackson, you sound like a real hero. Did they pay you well for it?"

His vision cleared and what he saw took his breath away: Annabeth was beautiful, her blonde hair had been dyed black with purple and pink highlights; her stormy grey eyes were even more intense with the black eyeliner; she was decked out in leather boots and jacket, just like Thalia.

Her lips were twisted up in a sardonic smile, but it only accented her cruel beauty. Percy was ashamed to think that this Annabeth was more beautiful than the one from his world, the loyal Annabeth who fought by his side.

His heart thudded.

"No," he said. "At least I can claim I have a definite purpose." He frowned at her. "The Olympians will punish you heavily for this Annabeth."

The daughter of Athena barked out a harsh laugh. "Oh, I won't be caught," she said, her eyes electrifying. It had turned a darker shade of grey than the color he was used to, and he was taken aback.

Demigod eyes had always been special. No matter who their parents were, they'd always inherit their godly parents' eyes that'd change color with their emotions. Some were more pronounced than others, some were more subtle and some only changed with their owners' principles.

Percy had not been the innocent and naive hero he once was and his eyes had turned darker because of it. Lucia had not been as consumed by her hatred as before and her eyes were that playful sky blue, not the blue of the evening sky. Annabeth's eyes in his former life had been silver-grey. Now, her eyes were so dark it was almost black.

It pained him to see so much changes in her even though she was as beautiful.

"Annabeth," he said, voice pleading. "Why are you doing this? Lucia's alive. You can still be together."

Annabeth gritted her teeth."Shut up! You were the one who corrupted her! Kronos showed me that! He told me that I had to change the world —"

"And you'd listen to him instead of your mother?" Percy demanded. "I thought you were wiser than this."

Annabeth scoffed. "I am wiser than you. Being a pawn..."

"Your fatal flaw is hubris," Percy said and he bathed in momentary satisfaction when he saw surprise flitting across her pretty features. "You thought you could do this better than the gods and even Kronos himself, didn't you? You're just planning on using him and his influence to get yourself and army and then you'd change the world as you see fit. I bet Kronos doesn't know that, huh? You can't stand being second to me, I'm closer to Lucia's heart and you decided that she was lost cause."

Her face twisted; which told Percy he was right.

"Nonsense," she murmured softly, but they both knew she was lying, reaching into her leather jacket to draw out an old watch. "We'll meet again, Jackson."

She disappeared in a flash of green light just as Lucia burst into view. "Percy!" she called, rushing to him and throwing her arms around him.

Percy was pleasantly surprised but he still managed a weak grin. "You wouldn't believe who I saw."

Her face was grim even though she was relieved. "I believe I can make an educated guess. What did Annabeth say?"

Percy took his time answering; he was busy observing Lucia's face. In the last life, Lucia's face had been gaunter and drawn, with black rings under her eyes from the stress of handling Kronos' Army and sneaking out to meet him without anyone being the wiser.

This Lucia was brimming with life and excitement; she was mature and knew the dangers of the world, yes, she also saw the world in a rather negative light but she didn't have that air of a I give up person.

Percy was hopelessly deeply in love with her.

But a part of him knew that the Lucia he once loved was also beyond reach and despite how much they look alike, this Lucia was different from the other Lucia. Everyone here was different from the counterparts in his world.

Lucia didn't seem aware of his inner turmoil. She may be sharp and observant, but like the Lucia in the past, she could never really pinpoint what he was feeling.

"...facing her would be hard," she was muttering.

He took her hand in his, making her glance at him in surprise.

"We'll get through this," he said. "together."

xxx

I've decided to add some sprinkles of Percabeth as well as Lercy. Agree? I think it adds more drama to spice things up.