The Other World From Which I Came - pjo-atla crossover -

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

First person, Percy's perspective

*Percy is 8*

Because of the escape, the Fire Nation became more confident in their ability to handle waterbenders. After all, a waterbender was so close to escaping and it took only one or two low-level guards to stop him. Because of this, the Fire Nation felt safe fulfilling a need they had seen. They needed more servants in the castle, the servants there didn't last long because if they did something that annoys any of the noblemen, they were severely punished. So they decided to start forcing prisoners they could trust or easily defeat to become servants.

Because of being a waterbender, young, and proven to be easily defeated, I was a very attractive candidate. So, shortly after Dexter and Steven's escape, I was taken to the palace.

I had been at the palace for roughly a year. I mostly worked in the kitchen as a dishwasher and chef, because, being a waterbender, I can do it more efficiently than the average person. Some days I got told to do other jobs like healing the teeny-tiny injuries of whiny rich people and washing and styling the hair of important people. One of those days was today because in the morning Lady Ursa came to ask me to style her hair that afternoon.

When I met with Lady Ursa to do her hair, while I was doing it she started talking to me. Usually when she asks me to do her hair she just smiles and asks me how I am, but this was more than that.

"May I ask what your name is?" She asked. Of course she could ask what my name was, she was the Ursa of the Fire Nation, she didn't even have to ask.

"Of course, your Highness. My name is Percy." I said. I was nervous, we weren't allowed to talk about ourselves to the royalty.

"What would you like today, your Highness?" I asked, attempting to change the topic.

"Just my usual. What is your favorite color?" She asked. She was persistent, but it didn't make me uncomfortable.

"Blue." I said, obliging her.

"And why is that?" She asked, with a smile on her face.

"Because when I was younger my mom used to make me blue food along with traditional water tribe food." I said.

"That's nice, is your mom also in the castle?" She asked, with no ill intent, but it still made me falter. It was only for a moment, but she took notice.

"What's wrong?" She asked, looking back at me.

"My Mother was killed when I was 6 years old." I said.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, Percy," She said, "I had no idea."

I was done with her hair and she saw how upset I was, so she allowed me to go back to the kitchens.

When I got back, I went to the barracks for the chefs to try to go to sleep.

As I was sitting on my bed, staring off into space and trying to calm myself down, my friend came in. His name was Everett and he was the only other servant that wanted to be friends with me. I was the only waterbender, and they were all too scared to interact with me.

"Hey Percy, how's it going?" Everett asked.

"Great." I said, looking at him and giving him my best fake smile. I was trying to not let him know I was upset because he already had enough on his shoulders without me inconveniencing him. He was the only other servant in the kitchens from a prison, and after meeting we found out we were at the same prison and he was there as a prisoner of war.

Everatt looked at me. He was not convinced.

Over the next few months, Lady Ursa asked me to do her hair once or twice a week. Every time she would engage me in conversation and every time I would become increasingly present in these conversations. Despite our different roles in this world, she became something of a friend.

Like clockwork, I would go to her quarters for hairdressing every Tuesday and Friday. I would go on these days because she always had events to go to. One Friday, this peaceful routine was disturbed.

"What are you doing, Watertribe." said a guard.

"I was just going to Lady Ursa's quarters to help get her ready for the ball coming up." I said.

"No way would her Highness want you in her presence," He spat, "now stop lying and go back to the servants quarters."

"I'm sorry sir, I gotta go see Lady Ursa." I said and tried to walk past him. He punched me in the face then kneed my stomach. I think he had already had a bad day and needed someone to hurt to make himself feel better.

"Please stop, that hurts." I pleaded. He punched me a few more times and left. I've met people like him before, hurting servants because they were easier targets.

A minute or two after he left, Lady Ursa came in and gasped when she saw me.

"What happened?" She asked.

"Nothing, shall we get started, your Highness?" I asked, trying my best to feign being okay. I should be, things like this happen all the time.

"No, of course not you're hurt," she carried on until I sent a meaningful glance, "fine."

Throughout the appointment Lady Ursa asked questions as usual, and as usual I was happy to answer until I was asked a question that hit me off guard.

"Do you ever wish to leave?" She had asked me. This was a weird question to ask me, a prisoner, especially as a government figure.

"I don't wish to attempt to escape," I said curtly.

"That's not what I asked," she said.

I was quiet for many minutes.

"I do," she whispered.

Not even a week later Ozai became Fire Lord.

A/N if you haven't been able to tell yet Percy is one year older than Sokka and two years older than Katara