Chapter Text
Percy shifted, his eyes widening slightly as he watched Polyphemus stomp out of his cave. It was even more surreal seeing him in real life, and even though he was far away, Percy could only imagine how tall he must be. He quietly turned, making sure he wasn't stepping down on the ground too hard, in fear that the cyclops might hear him. As he neared Annabeth, he noticed her talking to an iris message. His curiosity as to who it was, however, quickly turned into disgust, mixed in with a bit of jealousy (even though he would never admit it), as he realized it was Luke. he marched over there, swiping over the iris message to break contact.
“What was that for?” he asked, gaze hardening on Annabeth, who already looked pissed.
“I was handling it!” Annabeth scoffed, frustrated.
Percy furrowed his brows. “Annabeth, need i remind you were on a mission to save Grover and Clarisse? we dont have time to be chatting up with our rival! Besides, he's probably just trying an angle.”
Annabeth's face turned sad until she quickly covered it with anger. “Don't you think I know that seaweed brain? might I remind you I'm the daughter of Athena, finding an angle is all I do, and he called me, not the other way around.”
“it doesn't matter if he called you, honestly Annabeth, I thought you were through with him. He’s working with Kronos; he's not our friend anymore. When will you see that?” Percy grunted out, arms crossed.
“ugh Percy! its always so black-and-white with you! I still believe there's some good in him, he’s under Kronos’s manipulation, he’s not himself right now, ive know him longer than you have, he would've never acted like this,” Annabeth hissed out.
“You may have known him longer, but that doesn't change the fact that he tried to kill me last summer! I'm sorry if i don't believe there's any good left in him when he had a knife to my throat!” Percy shouts out, maybe a little louder than he intended.
Annabeth was about to reply with a snarky comeback when she was interrupted by the shaking of the ground, thumping noises slowly becoming louder in the distance. Percys crossed arms immediately jumped out. “shoot! I forgot about Polyphemus! he was heading out his ca-“
Percy didn't get to finish his sentence because at that moment Polyphemus was appearing behind him, grinning mischievously. Percy looked up to see a 15 feet cyclops with a half blind eye, reaching for them. They both scattered in different directions, running towards the tree where Grover and Clarisse were trapped. one upside to Polyphemus being insanely huge was that he was insanely slow as well. Because they both scattered in different directions, it took Polyphemus a while to recover, buying them some time. As Annabeth sprinted ahead of Percy to reach the fleece, Percy stayed back, hoping to distract the cyclops when he arrived at the top of the hill and allow Annabeth to grab the fleece, and hopefully have enough time to grab his friends. Just as Annabeth was about to climb the tree to grab the fleece, she felt paint drip onto her arm.
horror filled her eyes when she realized that this, too, was a trap. She shouted to Percy, “Percy! its a trap, this fleece is a fake!” Percy’s sword faltered in his hand, but he didn't have time to think. Polyphemus was catching up, and they didn't have time to go search for the fleece; they’d have to do that later. “Ugh! ok-ok.. new plan. I distract Polyphemus, you grab Grover and Clarisse, and run to the boat. We’ll have to find the fleece some other way!” Annabeth looked like she would protest, but Percy quickly stopped it. “I have a stronger demigod scent. I can keep him distracted longer, just go help them, ok?” Annabeth nodded, and as Percy was about to turn and attempt to fight Polyphemus, Annabeth grabbed his arm. When Percy turned, he saw Annabeth handing him her hat. Percy softened for a moment, graciously accepting her hat. Annabeth mirrored his expression, giving him a small smile before rushing over to the rope. as soon as Percy turned, he was met with Polyphemus, who was inches away from pummeling him into the ground. Percy quickly placed Annabeths hat on, rolling away from Poly’s fists, narrowly escaping. “hey one eye! its your old friend nobody! im over here!” and with a roar, Polyphemus began chasing him.
I really have to start working out, thought Percy, who was now sweating and exhausted. After a good few minutes of slowly leading the Polyphemus, thanks to Odysseus' taunting tactics, he had managed to lead the cyclops to his sheep’s pen. He was hoping that if he unlocked the pen, he would be able to distract the cyclops and hopefully catch his breath. Just as he was about to open the pen, Polyphemus stopped and turned around, heading towards the tree. Percy groaned internally, rushing after him, still invisible, of course. As Percy neared the cave’s entrance, he watched Polyphemus open the door. as polyphemous moved the boulder, he saw Annabeth, Clarisse, and grover who had the fleece. The real golden fleece. Now it made sense to him. Polyphemous must’ve felt someone grab it and rush over. Polyphemus bellowed with rage, immediately reaching for Annabeth, who had her dagger drawn out and was trying her best to protect Grover.
Time seemed to slow down for Percy. No, not Annabeth. In hindsight, it was a pretty stupid idea, but what choice did he have? Circe’s words flashed into his mind. ‘To save a friend, you might be willing to do great evil, or sacrifice a quest.' His fatal flaw would be the end of him, as all heroes’ fatal flaws have been. But to him, his life was nothing if it meant it would give Annabeth, Grover and even Clarisse a chance to escape and save Camp. he quickly lunged forward, Polyphemus’s large hands inches away from his friends. His riptide pierced into the cyclops shoulder, causing him to roar with pain. As Percy tried to rip his sword out of the monster's shoulder, he realized it was stuck. Quicker than Percy could’ve reacted, Polyphemus reached over, grabbing Percy off his shoulder and squishing him in his palm. Percy immediately felt all the air squished out of him, as he struggled in Polyphemus’s hand.
this is it. He thought miserably. this is the end. Pretty soon, he was thrown, and he felt the world fly by until he hit something, immediately falling unconscious. The last coherent thing he heard was Annabeth screaming ‘no!’ before it all faded away.
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Annabeth quickly made her way down the rope, Polyphemus’s steps becoming more distant as Percy led him away. Annabeth slapped herself mentally. we got caught because of me. Percy’s right, i should’ve stayed focus. as Annabeth finally neared the ground, she felt the rope snap, miraculously falling into Clarisses arms. Annabeth thanked her awkwardly and turned to Grover. Grover looked absolutely over the moon to see her. “You're here! oh Annabeth i've missed you!” Annabeth smiled warmly, rushing over to give Grover a huge bear hug. After a few moments, she heard Clarisse clear her throat. “Nice reunion, now how about us getting out of this cave? now your trapped in here with us.”
“That's why I'm here, we need to find the fleece and escape, i’m sure we can find a way out somehow” clarisse nodded, “right. and how do you expect us to find the fleece?” grover started sniffing around. “wait.. do you guys smell that?” grover kept sniffing, heading towards a corner of the cave. Clarisse glanced at Annabeth and she shrugged her shoulders. They followed Grover as he crawled out of a hole, carrying the golden fleece. Both Clarisse and Annabeth were in awe. “No way.. is that the real golden fleece?” Annabeth asked, even though she knew the answer. Grover nodded excitedly, “finally! now lets get out of here.” both Annabeth and Clarisse agreed and began heading towards the boulder. Just as they neared the entrance, they heard a rumble. Annabeth immediately swung out her dagger and pushed Grover behind her. She could hear Polyphemus roar from behind the boulder, icy fear rushing through her veins. Polyphemus had pushed the boulder out halfway, already reaching for Annabeth. Just as she was about to slash at his hand, she watched as Polyphemus roared in pain, immediately letting go of the boulder, only allowing a small crack to view the outside.
Annabeth immediately rushed over, dread piling up on her. no, it couldn't have been him, he's not that reckless.. right? She peeked through the hole, watching as Polyphemus reached for his shoulder, grabbing what seemed like nothing. But Annabeth knew it was Percy, still invisible. no. not him, anyone but him. Annabeth watched in horror as Polyphemus threw Percy, her hat falling off him mid-air. She screamed out “no!” as he hit the ground, unresponsive. She smashed the boulder with her dagger, desperately using all her might to try and push it, with Clarisse and Grover helping her. But to no avail, the boulder didnt move whatsoever. Annabeth ran back to the crack. Percy still hadnt moved, blood now seeping around him.
Just when she thought it couldn't get worse, she watched the cyclops reach down to grab him. fear like never before rushed through her. “No! Don’t touch him!” she desperately yelled out, her own voice scaring her. she continued banging on the rock with her hands, begging all the gods that she’d somehow find a way to save Percy. “She said don't touch him,” said a voice from the distance. Annabeth peered through the crack, trying to find who it was. That's when he came into view. Tyson. Her heart swelled, quickly being overshadowed by grief. Percy had been devastated when he thought Tyson had died, and now here he was, and Percy might never get a chance to see him again.
no. dont think like that. he’ll be all right, he has to be.
Tyson's voice cracked at the mention of Percy's name as he argued with Polyphemus, which eventually turned into a fight. pure frustration and horror filled her with every moment, Tyson was out there fighting to save Percy and all she could do was watch. After a few punches and bodyslams, Tyson rammed into Polyphemus, causing them both to tumble off the cliff and straight into the ocean. “Tyson! no!” Annabeth cried out, tears threatening to spill over. he couldn't have just come back just to die in front of her eyes. she slammed at the boulder again, desperate, racking her brain for a way out. she dared to glance at Percy again, who was still sprawled across the floor, the pool of blood bigger than last time she checked. His face was paler than shes ever seen, even when he had been poisoned by chimera’s stingers.
She tried thinking of a way out, begging her mom to help her. please Athena, if you were ever to listen to me, listen to me now, help Percy, don't let him die. She attempted using her dagger as a wedgie to allow enough space for her to crawl out, just as she was about to push down on her dagger, a familiar face popped in front of the crack.
Luke.
“Luke? What are you doing here?” Annabeth said, confused to see him here. Luke didn’t respond, walking over to Percy. Annabeth suddenly remembered what Percy had said about Luke, and absolute dread washed over her. “Luke! No, don't hurt him! Please..” Luke ignored her, checking Percys pulse. Luke stood up, turning to Annabeth, his voice shaking, “he’s dying.”
Annabeth almost fell over. She tried thinking again, trying to find a solution, her brain crowded with grief and worry. Suddenly, it clicked. “The fleece! Percy can be healed with the fleece!” Luke came over, “You have the fleece? The real one?” Annabeth turned to Clarisse, who was now clutching onto it as her life depended on it. Annabeths face hardened. Clarisse would never give it up willingly, especially if she never liked Percy; she would never sacrifice the quest for him. “Clarisse..” Annabeth began slowly, desperate. “We have to give Luke the fleece,” Clairsses eyes widened, “are you crazy?! we cant just give Luke the fleece!” “but Percy's dying!” Clarisse looked at Grover, then her. “Percy would understand,” she tried to reason, “he wouldn’t want us to give the fleece to Luke! You of all people should know that!” Annabeths fist balled up, she couldn't help but think that Clarisse was right, but Annabeth didn't care. Even if Percy might never forgive her, at least he would be alive. Grover was trying to reason with her. “We have to Clarisse! Percy could die! Remember when you said that you would never let another warrior fall in battle? You have to give it to him!” Clairisse was about to open her mouth to say something, but Annabeth couldn't wait. Percy didn't have alot of time left, and this was her only chance.
She quickly snatched the fleece out of Clairsses hand, running over to the boulder, handing it over to Luke. “Here! Luke! help him!” she rambled out, filled with pure adrenaline. Luke grabbed the fleece, stunned as if he couldn't believe he actually got it, and for a small moment Annabeth thought he would run off with it. Thankfully, he quickly rushed over to Percy, wrapping the fleece around him. A moment of silence followed until she saw Percy take a deep breath, shifting slightly. relief washed over her.
he’s alive.
Her moment of relief was over when she saw Luke glance at Riptide, which had probably fallen off when Tyson fought with Polyphemus. Luke’s expression hardened, and Annabeth could’ve sworn she heard errie whispering. Luke glanced over at Annabeth, his eyes filled with guilt as he picked up Percy. “Luke? what are yo-“ her words faltered when she realized he was taking Percy to Kronos. “No! luke! please dont do this! dont take him!” she shouted out, devastation echoing across the cave. She saw a glimpse of Luke hesitating before walking off, Percy still limp in his hands. Annabeth staggered back, collapsing onto the rock and burying her head in her knees.
what have i done?
“You killed us, you killed camp, and you probably killed Percy too! great job, wise girl,” Clarisse spat out. Annabeth couldn't even respond, tears streaming down her cheeks. She could faintly hear Grover defending her, but Annabeth didnt think she was worthy of defending. Clarisse is right, I screwed everyone. im sorry, Percy.
Annabeth heard a rumble in the distance. She meekly lifted her head, wiping the tears off her cheek. She immediately jumped up when she realized the entrance was being opened, and she gasped in shock when she saw who opened it
“Tyson!”
Tyson's gaze snapped to annabeths, and she could see it all. after letting Clarisse and Grover go after Luke, Annabeth walked over to Tyson, shocked to see him not only kill Polyphemus but survive it all. “im sorry i didnt go after luke, when i saw percy-“ his voice cracked for a moment “percy being taken, i was gonna go after him- but.. but back on the ironclad Percy had made me swear on the river styx to help you first if you were ever in danger” both Tyson and Annabeth were about to start sobbing. “percy really said that?” Tyson nodded, fiddeling with his fingers. Annabeth sniffled, hugging Tyson. “Thank you,” she murmured into him. Tyson was shocked for a few moments before returning the hug, probably squeezing Annabeth more than he intended.
As Annabeth followed Tyson, she noticed a splotch of blue. She turned to see her hat, squished, dusty, and splatter of blood on the side. Annabeth almost began sobbing all over again. She picked up the hat, shaking off the dust and clutching it to her chest.
Rage filled Annabeth. She had hope inside her that Luke could change, and that he was just being manipulated by Kronos, but as she had watched him take Percy away from her, despite her pleas, Annabeths hope dwindled away. She promised on the River Styx that if she had a chance to take Luke down, she’d be the one to do it. She had a murderous glint in her eye as she quickly caught up to Tyson, eventually finding grover and Clarisse arguing as Percy and Annabeths boat had been taken by Luke, who was already in the distance. Tyson whistled loudly, getting everyone's attention.
“Guys, meet Rainbow and his friends.”