Dark Percy AU (Part 2) ~ Flesh & Bone (Read Description)

NICO'S POV I gasped in horror as Percy stands behind me, gripping my arm without mercy, desperate to keep me as hostage, and his sword on my throat. My friends, especially Will and Reyna looked angered at the action. They were preparing to strike, forgetting that they've come here in peace. That they would try to be diplomatic no matter what. I wasn't going to let the plan fail so early in the battle. So, I glanced at all my friends urgently, begging them to stick to the plan. Percy may have turned dark, but their Percy still has to be in there somewhere. At least, they have to believe that he is. Fortunately, his friends got the message. They relaxed a little, though their stance states that they'll be ready anytime something bad happens. Suddenly, to all their surprise, especially Percy's, Will nocked and shot an arrow so quick, no one barely noticed. I should've been worried, but the arrow didn't directly hit Percy, it struck beside his head, to the wall. At his shock, Percy's grip lightened giving me the opportunity to escape, and so I did. People says Will's a bad aim, but I knew he missed on purpose. I ran toward him and away from Percy as Reyna took advantage of his shock, pinned him to the wall as she began to reason with him. I turned to Will and called him an idiot because what if Percy didn't get shocked and attacked him? I could never bear losing another important person in my life, especially someone as important as Will. I should've been leading my troops, instead I was too shaky from the experience. I knew what Percy was capable of and yet I had let my guard down. How could I be so stupid? Fortunately, Reyna didn't mind taking charge and Will was here to steady me until I was ready again. For now though, I knew I was in too much of a panic to help. So, all I could really do was watch but also be at a ready in case of an attack. I watched Percy and Reyna exchange lines as my friends show their support. Eventually, I noticed Annabeth at the corner, also observing. There was something in her eyes. Determination, perhaps? Or was it pain? Then again, it could be a mixture of both. But then, she surprised me. She went in between everyone and Percy then began talking accusingly and beggingly at the same time. When Percy won't listen, she tried to pin him herself, but Reyna didn't let go as Annabeth was still shaky. She was never going to make the final blow if it ever came to that and we don't expect her to. Then, another shock came upon us when a flash of light appeared. Annabeth stepped back as Apollo in the form of Lester, probably to show humility, came forward and began begging with Percy to not go too far. This was a sign of his change, something Percy nor any of them couldn't have believed. And yet, here he was. Apollo was helping them. Nevertheless, begging. Where have you heard of a god who could put aside their ego long enough to beg a mortal? Let alone a hero who are usually their pawns? With each speaker, from Reyna to Annabeth to Apollo, I noticed something in Percy's eyes. Something I've seen in my own before: Guilt and realization. He thought he was doing the right thing when in reality... He's only being selfish. And as Percy stubbornly refused to give in, I got myself together. This was my mission. Jason has assigned me for a reason and I will finish it one way or another. I steadied myself, earning me a concerned look from Will but I reassured him as I broke through the crowd and finally, spoke to Percy. I spoke about how I understood him because I once was in his place, though I didn't fall too deep, I still was. I told him to look at himself. Is this what he really wants? The pain his causing his love one's. The dreams he once had, falling apart. And himself, who does he think he is and who is he really now? A hero or a villain? Percy seems to be taken aback. At this, Reyna deemed it safe enough to step back and join our friends as we all reassured him in our own ways: It's not too late. This is not who you are. You're a good person. We will accept you back. You're still our friend. And through all this, I watched as the guilt and disbelief in Percy's eyes grew. He didn't want to believe this, and yet he was obviously giving in. Maybe it was Reyna's straightforwardness or Annabeth finally going against him with her eyes full of pain, or Apollo, a god, showing sympathy instead of punishing him, or maybe even my understanding, but we were finally getting the old Percy back. This villain façade was finally breaking, and his loyalty to his friends, his fatal flaw, helping in the process. I watched as Percy dropped his sword, deep in thought. I knew we tried our best, but the question remains, did we try hard enough? And was all our efforts enough to get Percy Jackson back? ~ END ~ Part 1 Link:    • Dark Percy AU - Ready as I'll Ever Be (Rea...   Disclaimer: I don't own any of the fanart or audio used. Credits to the respective owners. #pjo #heroesofolympus #trialsofapollo