Percy Jackson: The Shadow Hunter Chapter 1

This is in Percy's Point of View.

"When I was very young, I was foolish enough to believe that I could bring an end to these conflicts. If only I had possessed the humility to say to myself, I have seen enough for one life, I have done my part. Then again, there is no greater glory than fighting for those you love."

I ran towards the Empire State Building, some cars rolling past behind me. I finally got inside and requested for the key for the 600th floor, which is Olympus, whether you believe it or not. I don't care if you don't, this is about me anyway.

The man at the counter, who was currently reading a newspaper with his legs crossed on top of the counter, just replied with the response he had been ordered to say to everyone who asks for the said item, "Sorry kid, I think you've hit your head or something, there's no such thing as a six-hundredth floor."

I sighed, grabbed the newspaper he was reading, and ripped it to shreds. "Look, I don't want to waste time, just give the key to me, and all will be well. No earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, or anything related to those disasters." I told him, looking at him straight in the eyes the whole time. The guy could only stare at me with wide eyes before standing up and bowing. Fortunately, nobody was around or they could've thought I'm some kind of villain forcing people to worship me or something. "My apologies, Mr. Jackson." he said hurriedly then pulled open a drawer and, shakily, grabbed the key. "Here, S-sir Jackson." he stuttered, handing me the key.

I nodded to him, and left the counter, heading towards the elevator. Once I reached it, the doors opened as if it was expecting me. I then cautiously entered it, watching as buttons until the number six-hundred appeared. I pressed the button with the number of the level I wished to go to. I waited until the doors closed and I could feel the elevator going up.

To my dismay, though, music was playing, and didn't match the current mood I was in. I don't want to insult Apollo and create another enemy, so I just ignored the sound and stayed silent.

"Percy Jackson, what do you wish of us?" Zeus asked me in his deep commanding voice. My father looked at me with worry. I looked horrible. My green eyes are rimmed with red and I have no doubt that I am as pale as a sheet of paper. Hestia seemed sad; I believe she knows why I am here. I took a deep breath.

"Lord Zeus, I wish to die."

The room got cold as the gods gasped. My father looked sick and the others' eyes widened. Hestia looked even more depressed and Ares looked… sad. Even Zeus looked at me worryingly.

"Why do you wish to die Hero of Olympus?"

I sighed. Pain was in my chest. Athena seemed to notice my pain. She looked regretful.

"I wish to die because the campers have forgotten me and the daughter of Athena has destroyed me emotionally." I looked at Athena with mournful eyes. "You were right; in the end, my fatal flaw would destroy me. After all I've done for them; they cast me aside because a new hero did the twelve labors of Hercules, while I have won two wars for them. I've been treated like trash at Camp Half-blood and Annabeth chose architecture over me. It was either stay with me or go to Greece to remodel the Parthenon. I was foolish to believe that a hero gets a happy ending. There is nothing for me here now. Sure I have my mother, but she doesn't need me."

The Olympians looked downcast, I wonder why. It's not like most of them were fond of me. After looking at each other, Zeus had a glint in his eyes. "Perseus Jackson, you say you wish to die because you have no purpose in life?"

I nodded in response to the god of lightning, slightly nervous while waiting for what he was going to say. I hope I wouldn't have some kind of duty to protect Camp Half-blood or something. I don't want memories arising. I was on the verge on forgetting some of the times I was in that place.

"Perseus Jackson, we have discussed about this: Are you willing to accept the life of godhood?"

My jaw hung agape. I just said I wished to die, and now they're offering me godhood. Wow, just wow. Maybe their minds are wired to hear the opposite of the things people say. Like the time I said I didn't want to fight Ares but he did anyway. Oh wait. I was the one who told him to fight me.

I stepped into the surf. "Fight me yourself, Ares."

He laughed, but I heard a little edge to his laughter… uneasiness. "You've only got one talent, kid, running away. You ran from the Chimera. You ran from the Underworld. You don't have what it takes."

"Scared?"

"In your adolescent dreams." But his sunglasses were starting to melt from the heat of his eyes. "No direct involvement. Sorry, kid. You're not at my level."

"Apologies, Lord Zeus, I cannot accept your offer. I refuse." I said. Again, the Olympians gasped. Zeus became angry, all sympathy for me, gone.

"You have wounded our pride last time, but I let it slide. This time, I shall do what I am supposed to do. Perseus Jackson, as King of gods, I will force you to become one of us." he boomed, with matching lightning in the background. You know, he should be the god of theater.

I shook my head furiously, "No…" I know, pretty intelligent answer, right? Not. Right now, Zeus was wielding his master bolt, looking at me as if to say, 'move and you die'. Hermes blocked the exit. That would be a pretty hard obstacle considering his godly speed. Apollo and Artemis, being the Twin Archers, had their bows aimed at me. Ares and Athena pointed their spears at my head. And yes, I know. They're a weird pair since they go against each other often. Demeter and Dionysus made vines shoot up from the marble floor, entangling me with dozens of plants. Boy, these obstacles made Wipe Out look like some kind of playground or something.

Hey. I just realized something. Apollo and Artemis both have 'A's in the beginning of their names, as well as Ares and Athena. Demeter and Dionysus have 'D's in the beginning of their names too. Wow, what a very odd coincidence.

I couldn't move. I couldn't do anything. But I had to do something or I won't get what I want.

With all my strength, I reached for Riptide. The vines tightened on my arm, making me wince in pain. Wait, let me correct that. More pain, I mean, since I already felt pain ever since I entered the room. I took a deep breath and tried to pull my pen.

"You have no chance, son of Poseidon. Give up willingly and you shall become a god." said Zeus. I looked up at him and glared, "Why do you want me to become a god so much? I thought you hated me. If you think I'll betray Olympus, why would I do that? I have loyalty as my fatal flaw. If you want me in your army, I already am! I already was ever since I was born!" I ranted.

Zeus looked like he was slapped in the face, making me snicker under my breath. "Why you impotent—"

I stopped listening as I was already gripping Riptide, loosely, but still holding it. Using my index finger and my thumb, I tried to remove the cap. Come on… I thought to myself; sweat beading down my neck from tension. Finally, the cap dropped to the floor, making a quiet thud. Next thing I knew, I was slashing the vines and running for my life, heading towards the exit.

Arrows were whizzing past me. I fulfilled my 'promise' to Apollo that I'll save Artemis in one of my quests and my reward for that is me being shot my arrows. That goes the same for Artemis. I mean seriously, I held the sky for her. The freaking sky! Heck, I was about to get crushed by it that time. Speaking of the sky, its reward for me is a white streak of hair. I know, best reward, right? Better than dying in a rain of arrows, at least. Then I remembered Zoë.

"Can't you heal her with magic?" I asked Artemis. "I mean… you're a goddess."

Artemis looked troubled. "Life is a fragile thing, Percy. If the Fates will the string to be cut, there is little I can do. But I can try."

She tried to set her hand on Zoë's side, but Zoë gripped her wrist. She looked into the goddess's eyes, and some kind of understanding passed between them.

"Have I… served thee well?" Zoë whispered.

"With great honor," Artemis said softly. "The finest of my attendants."

Zoë's face relaxed. "Rest. At last."

"I can try to heal the poison, my brave one."

But in that moment, I knew it wasn't just the poison that was killing her. It was her father's final blow. Zoë had known all along that the Oracle's prophecy was about her: she would die by a parent's hand. And yet she'd taken the quest anyway. She had chosen to save me, and Atlas's fury had broken her inside.

She saw Thalia, and took her hand.

"I am sorry we argued," Zoë said. "We could have been sisters."

"It's my fault," Thalia said, blinking hard. "You were right about Luke, about heroes, men—everything."

"Perhaps not all men." Zoë murmured. She smiled weakly at me. "Do you still have the sword, Percy?"

I couldn't speak, but I brought out Riptide and put the pen in her hand. She grasped it contentedly. "You spoke the truth, Percy Jackson. You are nothing like… like Hercules. I am honored that you carry this sword."

A shudder ran through her body.

"Zoë—" I said.

"Stars," she whispered. "I can see the stars again, my lady."

A tear trickled down Artemis's cheek. "Yes, my brave one. They are beautiful tonight."

"Stars," Zoë repeated. Her eyes fixed on the night sky. And she did not move again.

When I got near the doors, Hermes was immediately above me, trying to grab me but I ducked and ran faster. Finally, I ran out of that stupid Throne Room. I, however, could hear Zeus ordering the others to get me. Shoot. I guess my grace period wouldn't last long.

I cursed under my breath as lightning, or rather Zeus, tried to smite me. Is he trying to turn me into fried chicken or is he trying to force me to become a god? I don't see how someone can turn someone else into a god by striking them with lightning.

I could see a shadow hovering over me, and I assumed that Hermes was above me once more. I ran as fast as I could and then the worst thing happened. Vines blocked the elevator doors. Fate must hate me or something, but what did I ever do to deserve this?

"No!" I shouted. I guess I have no other choice. I knew what I had to do. And, it would fulfill my request without the help of the gods. I closed my eyes and breathed deeply. Okay, relax. Just relax. This is the final moment of Percy Jackson, the Hero of Olympus and son of Poseidon, my final chapter.

I ran towards the edge of Olympus, and released the air I was keeping, which I did not realize I was holding in until now. Not that it mattered anyway.

Closing my eyes, hoping that nobody will stop me from doing what I was about to do. I jumped off Olympus.

Right now, I'm pretty much free-falling from the home of the gods to New York. This is so much better than sky-diving because you have to pay. Right now, I was literally free-falling. No payment, at all. I was biting on my lip, trying not to scream like a little girl. That would be embarrassing. Who knows, maybe the Olympians were watching me fall. They're probably thinking about what an idiot I was. Usually, I would counter those kinds of statements, but I wasn't in the mood to do so.

I decided to open my eyes and struggled not to call my mother and not to focus on falling to my death. Instead, I looked around New York, marveling at the sights. "Oh wow, I never knew birds get to see this view every day and- Wait, is that McDonalds!? Man!"

McDonalds was really, really, really near the Empire State Building and I hated myself for not going to it before requesting something from the gods. And yes, I'm a fan of McDonalds. Problem? No?

Well then, I'm guessing that my last words would be about my favorite fast food restaurant: McDonalds.

"I love you McDonalds!" I yelled at the top of my lungs.

Right as I was about to fall onto the streets, something happened that made me groan in frustration. Why can't I just get what I want? I give others what they want, why not me?

Darkness consumed me, and the next thing I knew, I was in a clearing in the middle of a forest. I didn't feel like standing up anymore. I'm just going to take a nap… Maybe something will happen to me and I'll find myself being judged in the Underworld. The last thing I saw was a man with midnight black wings before blacking out.