VERSUS

Congratulations

*Percy woke on a cold stone floor. He used the wall as leverage so he could stand. He stood in a small cell, with an iron door with three iron doors 5 feet up on the door, which was almost feet tall. A bed sat in the corner, and a bucket in the other. "Ah gods." Percy thought to himself. "I have to get out. Annabeth. I need to get to Annabeth." Then the door creaked and swung open. Percy reached into his pocket. Riptide was gone. "That's impossible. It can't be gone." But it was. Percy had no choice. He walked through the open door, and at his sides stood four guards, all carrying poleaxes. They were skeletal warriors, fit with swords at their sides and shields strapped to her back and pitch black armor everywhere except the head. The armor was literally so dark, when you looked at it and looked away your eyes needed to re-focus. Simultaneously, the four lowered their poleaxes and laid them to rest on Percy's back. Ones teeth chartered as if it was trying to talk. It prodded at Percy's back, meaning he was supposed to move forward. He walked down the dimly lit corridor followed by the four guards. They reached a large door, several yards tall and in width. One guard strode past Percy and gripped one of the handles. It pulled and the door swung open. The guard pointed at Percy and motioned him to keep moving. Percy once again started walking followed by his guard entourage, and then the group was joined by several more guards. They made it through another corridor and entered a large room. At the end of the room were steps, which led up to a throne. On the throne sat a shadow. "Percy Jackson. Congratulations. You've defeated a powerful enemy." It said. Percy didn't respond, but he did check his pockets searching for Riptide. "Oh your little sword? Is that what your searching for? Oh yes. That was confiscated. The magic has been nullified so it cannot return to you just yet." Percy growled. He didn't do that much. He only growled when he was really really angry. And right now he was really really angry. "What do you want?" Percy spat. "World peace and personal satisfaction. Not necessarily in that order." The shadow stood and cracked its knuckles. Which is surprising because it didn't seem to have bones. It was a shadow. "Why am I here?" Percy asked. "Your here to fulfill your destiny. And then to help me fulfill mine. You see, I'm holding a little tournament. Games if you will. To determine a winner, to be-" Percy interrupted. "To be what?" The shadows form contorted. "Don't interrupt me boy. I could kill you easier than you could tie your shoes. By the way, your shoes are untied." Percy looked down. "Made you look. Anyways," The shadow said, not even looking at Percy anymore. "The point of this is, the winner of my games will... well I don't want to spoil it for you. You haven't won just yet. But there are three types of battles I shall hold. To advance in the games, to stop who might be able to stop me or who would be a nuisance when it comes to my plan... or entertainment." The shadow rippled. He was laughing, Percy realized. "Which one was my fight with that other guy?" The shadow rippled again. "Oh that? While it was very entertaining, you have moved up in my games. Congratulations." Percy got angry. "I don't want your congratulations I want to go back home. To camp." The shadow appeared, face inches away from Percy's. "So you can see Annabeth and all your little friends?" Percy's face turned to stone. "How do you-" The shadow interrupted. "I know everything. How would you like to see your little camp burned? All of your friends dead? Your little crushes head on a spike adorning my throne?" Percy shouted in rage and raised his fist, preparing to punch a shadow (not the best idea) when he was flung across the room, slamming into a column. He screamed in pain and the shadow reappeared in front of him, face next to his ear. "I will do it, Percy Jackson. I will make your world burn to ashes. Unless you cooperate." Percy clenched, then unclenched. The invisible force let him fall and he collapsed to his knees. He coughed in pain. "What... what do I need to do?" The shadow rippled... laughing... again. He leaned over slowly. He put his face right up next to Percy's ear. "Participate in my games, Percy Jackson." The shadow stood and disappeared, reappearing on his throne. "Take him back to his cell." Percy stood, holding his sides, and the four original guards motioned for him to leave, following him out with poleaxes against his back.