Broken Image

Chapter 1: Memories

Percy's POV:

Pain. Suffering. Regret. Emptiness. Brokenness. It has been 2 years. 2 damn years. Constant torture, mockery, and most dangerous of all: Memories. Reminders of my past, my present, and seemingly my future. Perseus Jackson, they call me. They use the name as a weapon, as a shard and blade to jab into my mind. I wondered why they could not understand. How could they not see how right I was? How could they leave me here after I save their asses? To be cursed, maimed, tortured, and even killed again and again? I saved them. I helped them. Yet they could not help me. Now, as I hang here in my chains made of despair, I can only ponder who I was, who I am, and who I will be. But the answer never changes: I am broken.

My chains then rattled as I was shaken by one of my torturers: Nyx. "Hello, Perseus.", the goddess of night spat. I looked up but remained silent, in fear that my tongue would be cut, or lava would be poured down my throat. She sneered at my silence, taking it as consent to do whatever she pleased, which in fact was true. "Two years here, Perseus. Today in fact is your two year anniversary in Tartarus with your dear friends. Or at least in time up there. Down here it feels like forever, doesn't it?", Nyx spoke, referring to herself and all of the other foes I had faced, including many such as Kronos, Krios, and others. I grunted at her comments. Nyx glared at me for that noise, even if it was small. She grabbed my throat and squeezed a little, enough to be uncomfortable, but not enough to be painful...yet. Throughout my years, Nyx had treated me the worst. I have no idea why. Maybe it was inherent for every bad guy out there to hate me.

She glared at me with her pitch black eyes, "You are not to make noise when I speak, understood?". I nodded and gasped for air. She let go, and I dropped back down to the cold obsidian floor of my so called 'room'. "Now get up. We have a looonnngg day ahead of us.", Nyx stated as she snapped her fingers, opening up my cuffs. I stared at my wrists, seeing that they were bruised and battered. They had scars on them, naturally, and unnaturally. In fact, I had scars everywhere on my body. Scar here, scar there, scar everywhere, but I can't do anything. I used to hope that I could get out of here, but it disappeared a while ago. That doesn't mean I don't wish it. I trudged ahead and prepared for my 'day' of torture. I get the usual: fight hundreds of monsters; fight Titans and Giants; get cut, slashed, and maimed by all of them; relive memories; and then worst of all, drowning. I sighed, both of longing and also of exhaustion, but I moved forward.

Third Person POV:

The sound of thunder rolled across the heavens. The clouds darkened and threatened to bring floods where they stood. The sky looked very uneasy, causing dismay to anyone who looked up to it, which is a large group of people. Currently, a meeting of the gods occurred, nothing special, just a normal meeting. Or at least that is what it was supposed to be.

"Alright! Let's get down to business!", a grim Zeus announced, lacking any of his usual theatrical antics. "First and foremost is the issue of Artemis and her Hunt. Recently, many of you are falling to injuries, correct Artemis?", Zeus asked his daughter. Artemis nodded, "Yes Father, but it is nothing we cannot handle. We have faced worse, much worse. Like during the fight against Gaea, for example."

Aphrodite then spoke back, "Yet you seem to not be able to handle the monsters lately, Artemis. What happened to those 'skills' you have? Your Hunt should not be taking hits. For goodness sake even Thalia is out of commission right now." Artemis glared back, "This is all just temporary. It can and will be fixed. We are fine." Artemis' pride clearly showed as she raised her head in defiance. "No. You are not fine. Your hunters are beginning to weaken. Now I do not know why, but you need help.", Zeus sternly said. Artemis' golden blood began to boil as she shouted back with force and anger, "I DO NOT NEED ASSISSTANCE ON HOW TO TAKE CARE OF MY HUNT. AS A MATTER OF FACT MAYBE YOU SHOULD CONSIDER YOUR OWN FAULTS, SUCH AS YOUR PUNISHMENT FOR THE HERO OF OLYMPUS!". The pure rage that emitted from Artemis right there was enough to make Ares crumble. The gods all sat in shock and silence, the only sound left was Artemis' heavy breathing after her tantrum. The idea of the Percy's banishment to Tartarus struck all of their hearts, save Artemis as even though she respected him to an extent, he was a man. Poseidon lost control of his emotions and began to cry. He then moved on to sobbing, and then all out bawling. He covered his face with his hands and rested his elbows onto his knees.

"You know what he did. He wronged us all!", Zeus said bluntly, although his conscience disagreed. Athena spoke up, "How so? In what way did he do that?". "It's only been two years! Do you not remember? The boy straight up killed 15 demigods! In cold blood, he slaughtered his own blood!", Zeus bellowed. Hestia's eyes flared up, "He did it to help us! Did you not see the aftermath of the killings? Did you not see the fact that those dead demigods decomposed into the Earth instantly? Are you so blind to Gaea's attempt to finish what she started? Perseus Jackson ended Gaea's plan. He saved you! He saved us all. And we threw him away." Zeus retorted, "No matter for what reason, he still killed those demigods! They were under control of Gaea, not purposely doing anything!". Artemis spoke up again after regaining her senses, "You would rather die than let your pride be suppressed, won't you?". Zeus thought over this statement, and to his own dismay, slightly nodded. "What he did was correct, but you can't let that go can you? And for what reason but the fact that one of your daughters(AN: Pretend Zeus has another random daughter) was a part of that group!", Hestia said as she finished Zeus' argument off.

"I propose an overturn of Percy's punishment.", Hades announced, "I have seen what has gone on down there, and I know you all have not. He does not deserve that." The rest of the gods looked in surprise, since no punishment has gone unturned for a long time, but it was possible. "Let's vote shall we?", Hades announced. "Who would like to overturn Perseus Jackson's time in Tartarus, raise your hands." One by one the gods raised their hands, starting with Poseidon, who had hope in his teary eyes, and ending with Zeus himself. "By the power of the Ancient Laws, I deem Perseus Jackson void of his punishment.", Zeus announced. Lightning struck and Thunder rumbled as Zeus threw his Master Bolt down. Hades closed his eyes and muttered a few words. A flash bright enough to even make the gods close their eyes inhabited the area. After the flash subsided, in the middle of the throne room was a figure laying on the ground, with jeans and a long sleeved shirt that were both colored black. This figure was Percy Jackson.

Percy's POV, during the beginning of the gods' meeting:

I fought, flailing around as I began to lose breath. That is correct. Perseus Jackson was drowning. In Tartarus, monsters have control, and I could not breath underwater. I was too weak to even consider my powers. After I blacked out, the monsters pulled me out of the water. I was revitalized, just enough to regain consciousness. This water torture lasted for forever it seemed. It would not stop. Finally, after the monsters had their 'fun'. I was pulled up. Kronos walked forth with his golden eyes flaring. "Oh Perseus. I heard it was your anniversary with us today. How about we celebrate? You remember Backbiter, don't you?", Kronos asked with glee, menacing glee. With that, Kronos lifted his weapon up, and swung with force. I closed me eyes, waiting for pain to be stacked onto me again. But it never came. I blacked out as a blinding light covered me and I felt myself being pulled away.

Third Person POV:

All of the gods sat in their thrones, drinking in the sight of their Hero. He was clearly unconscious, but his unmoving body did strike a small amount of fear into Poseidon. Poseidon stood up first and sprinted across to Percy's limp body. He held up his son's body and put it into his arms, gazing at his face. Percy's face was cut up and full of scars, blood staining his handsome face. Percy's hair surprisingly did not grow. Taking out ambrosia and nectar, Poseidon fed his son both, causing Percy to stir. Some of the scars healed, but major ones stayed. The gods all encircled Poseidon and his son. Percy opened his eyes in fear and sat straight up. He looked around carefully. "What. The. Fuck.", he said plainly. Percy jumped up, but then winced in pain as his wounds reminded his body that they were there. "Perseus Jackson. Your...punishment has been revoked after much discussion. We are sorry.", Zeus spoke with a tone of regret and embarrassment. Percy looked shocked, but then he looked furious.

"That's all I get? A sorry? No sort of compensation? I don't need your words.", Percy said flatly. Zeus' face contorted in anger initially, but then nodded. Artemis then spoke, "Now listen here Percy, you are back. Enjoy it. Don't cause anymore anger. Don't insult" Percy jerked his head around to the speaker, and saw Artemis. He stopped slightly, but then he spat venomously, "You don't know what I've been through. You have no idea what it feels like to be tortured, wallowing in your own blood. And for what reason? Because I saved some Olympian Gods! I have been drowned. I have been killed, only to be brought back by Kronos. Keep your mouth shut and swallow your own damn pride." Percy's anger emanated throughout the entire room. Artemis at first was shocked, but then swelled in anger rivaling Percy.

With the speed of a thunderbolt, she leaped at Percy and tackled him all the way into the wall of marble. A crater was left with his body. Artemis then punched Percy in the face, in which he winced even with his experiences with pain. She then took her forearm and shoved it against Percy's throat horizontally. The other gods were too surprised to do anything but gawk. "You know nothing. I spoke for your benefit. I raised your situation again. I spent two damn months wondering how the last decent man in the world was punished by the gods that he himself saved. Now shut up. Understood?", Artemis spat back with a lethal tone. Percy widened his eyes, not in fear, but in curiosity to both the anger and the pain he could see in her silver eyes. Artemis released her grip and pulled Percy up to his feet. "I am sorry, Lady Artemis. My anger has blinded me.", Percy said with a soft voice as he got onto his knees and bowed. He put his head onto the ground when he bowed, and placed his hands onto her silver shoes. Artemis looked down at Percy and smiled, glad that she could calm the tempest that was Perseus Jackson. "Apology accepted. Perseus. Now get up. The other gods are here too, remember?", Artemis replied, also with a softer tone than her ferocity from before. Percy and Artemis both walked back to the other gods.

After hugging all of the gods and finally smiling again, Percy became tired. His weariness had caught up to him, especially when he was thrown into the wall by Artemis. He fell down on the floor in exhaustion, right onto Artemis, who almost threw him again for getting too close. She realized he fell asleep and offered to let him sleep in her palace due to the fact that she threw him into the wall. With a snap of her fingers, she teleported him into her bed at her palace. "Since when did males have the ability to sleep in your bed?", Apollo asked. "This time only, brother. I did throw him into a wall and choke him.", Artemis responded. "What a repayment.", Apollo responded sarcastically. Artemis rolled her eyes and walked back to her palace. The gods had all said their goodbyes and went to their own palaces to sleep. After Artemis finished her duties with the Moon, she went back to her own palace.

She walked into her room and prepared to change right there. She took off her jacket, and then her shirt. She was about to take off her pants but then she heard a rustling. Percy sat up wearily and rubbed his eyes, "Lady Artemis? What are y-". Percy's eyes widened and then he laid back down and covered his eyes. Artemis covered herself and jumped, blushing furiously in rage. She threw on her shirt and left her pants on. "I'm s-so s-sorry, Lady Artemis. I didn't mean to!", Percy spoke in fear. "Yes, Percy.", Artemis said. Percy stood up from the bed and looked around. "I'm going to go now.", Percy said quickly and he sprinted out. Artemis shook her head. She jumped into bed and laid down into her covers. She fell asleep rather quickly despite her incident.

Percy ran and ran, trying to get the image of a half naked Artemis out of his head. But he simply could not. Percy decided to get out of Olympus. Taking the elevator, he reached the bottom of the Empire State Building. Percy then proceeded to walk to his mother's apartment. Once he arrived, he rang the doorbell. A woman opened the door, "Hello? May I help you?". Percy then looked into his mother's eyes and waited. She teared up, and then grabbed Percy into a hug while crying. "You're back!", she exclaimed in joy. They went inside and moved onto the couch where Percy let his mother bawl her eyes out in joy. Paul also joined in, although he cried much less. "I'm back, mom. I'm back.", he said reassuringly. For the next couple of days he stayed around and talked with his mother and just enjoying his time back. Of course, he then told his mom of his plan to go back to visit Camp Half-Blood. She allowed, but she knew he would've gone anyways. After saying goodbye, Percy called a taxi and left.

Percy reached the camp borders. He stared at it. The camp had not changed one bit. As he reached the borders, he saw Peleus sitting there. Peleus looked to Percy and sniffed him warily, but then licked Percy's arm in approval. Percy chuckled and waked into the camp, where the campers were eating breakfast. Percy wanted to be sneaky, so he stealthily walked towards the camp dining area. Chiron and Mr. D were sitting at the big table while everyone else were at their own. The Poseidon table was empty, along with Zeus' and Hades'. The Children of the Big Three always had business to attend to, or in Percy's case for the last two years, punishment. Pulling the hood of his jacket up, Percy walked into the dining area with a hidden face. He caught the attention of every camper almost instantly. He was a little nervous, but he did not stop. He walked up to the big table, pulled out a chair, and then sat down, drinking the bottle of water that he brought.

At first, there was silence. Mr. D smirked knowingly. Clarisse La Rue stood up and bravely asked, "Who are you? And how dare you sit there?". Percy started to laugh, boiling the anger of the campers even further. Percy actually began choking on his water. Annabeth Chase then spoke as well, "Answer the question, or we will force it from you!". Percy kept laughing, but finally stopped. He slammed on the table with force and then looked up, smiling. "Don't you remember me?", Percy asked as he pulled off his hood, revealing his messy black hair and his sea green eyes. The entire camp stared in shock and silence. "PERCY JACKSON!", the entire camp roared. Even Chiron stood up and cheered. "The one and only.", he replied calmly. The camp cheered and all of his friends came up to greet him. Finally, after a lot of handshakes, hugging, and kisses, he was free to speak to whoever he wanted. Of course, he moved over to speak to Annabeth first.

"Hey.", he said calmly. Annabeth turned, "Oh. Hi." Percy stood there awkwardly rubbing his hand on his neck. "Can we talk? About...us?", Percy spoke. Annabeth nodded but stayed quiet. "Look. I know I've been gone. I know I was sentenced to Tartarus because I killed 15 people in cold blood. But you knew right? You knew they were bad. So why didn't you say anything? Why did no one say anything?", Percy said. He continued, "For 2 years I was tormented, wondering why no one helped me. Not even my girlfriend. Were you all afraid? Or did I not do enough? I know Poseidon was just in shock after sustaining injuries, so he couldn't do much. Why? Why did you leave me to that?". Percy began to choke a little on his tears. Annabeth looked down in shame, "I...I don't know. We were just afraid, I guess. No one wanted to oppose." "So you all just left me. What a good reason! Okay. Alright. I'm done here. Go back to whichever male you found to replace me, I know you have a replacement. I hope he'll save your ass as well as me." Percy stormed off I his own silent rage. What he thought was his hope in Tartarus became the ones that disappointed him the most. Even his girlfriend, no wait, ex-girlfriend couldn't even speak for him. If no one would help him, he wouldn't help them either.

Percy marched to the ocean. He began to vent out his rage. A burst of power surged into him and he lifted large amounts of water up and swirled it around. His rage began procuring storms and lightning. A small earthquake also occurred. Once he was tired, he went back to his cabin. He laid on his bed, thinking 'No one here gives a damn about me. They just want me for power. For glory. Where do I find a real family?'. After dropping a few tears, he fell asleep.

AN: Hey, what's up guys? So I hoped you liked this first chapter. This of course is going to be a Pertemis fic, since for some reason I liked that idea. So as you have read, there is no cheating or death involving Annabeth. Percy is just simply disappointed in the fact that after so many years and experiences, no one was able to return the favor. But anyways, I hope you enjoyed and will await the next chapter! Please review so I know how I can improve, as I am not that good at writing creative things, or so I think. :)