𝒎𝒊𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒓𝒃𝒂𝒍𝒍 - 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒚 𝒋𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒔𝒐𝒏 𝒙 𝒐𝒄

‧⁺˚*･༓𝑺𝑰𝑿༓･*˚⁺‧

Phoenix and Annabeth were returning from training when they noticed Percy and Luke sword fighting.

Percy sucked ass.

They called for a break after Percy looked like he had finished a fight with a jock from Yancy.

The boy walked up to Phoenix and Annabeth.

"Hey Sunshine," He smiled.

"Wow Percy, you are such a good fighter," Phoenix laughed sarcastically.

"Thanks," He said. "I'm exhausted...  and sweaty."

"Don't worry, we can smell you," Annabeth muttered.

The three looked over as Luke poured water on his head.

Percy grinned and looked at his water bottle.

"If you pour water on your head you'll mess up your luscious locks."

"That's why I'm not a girl," He said pouring the bottle on his head.

He frowned at his hair fell flat on his face. Phoenix stepped back a few feet pulling Annabeth with her. She had seen plenty of Percy's swim classes that his mom forced him to take. Phoenix wanted to stay out of the splash zone.

Percy bent over and shook out his hair.

"You look like a wet dog," Phoenix said.

"Smell like one too," Annabeth nodded.

"Okay, everybody circle up!" Luke ordered. "If Percy doesn't mind, I want to give you a little demo." 

Everyone gathered around as Luke told everybody he was going to demonstrate a disarming technique: how to twist the enemy's blade with the flat of your own sword so that he had no choice but to drop his weapon.

"This is difficult," he stressed. "I've had it used against me. No laughing at Percy, now. Most swordsmen have to work years to master this technique." 

He demonstrated the move on Percy in slow motion. Sure enough, the sword clattered out of his hand. 

"Now in real time," he said after Percy retrieved his weapon. "We keep sparring until one of us pulls it off. Ready, Percy?"

He nodded, and Luke came after him. Somehow, Percy kept him from getting a shot at the hilt of his sword. Percy's senses opened up. He saw Luke's attacks coming. Percy countered and stepped forward and tried a thrust of his own. 

Luke deflected it easily, but Percy saw a change in his face. His eyes narrowed, and he started to press Percy with more force. The sword grew heavy in his hand. The balance wasn't right. 

Percy knew it was only a matter of seconds before Luke took him down, so Percy tried the disarming maneuver. 

His blade hit the base of Luke's and Percy twisted, putting his whole weight into a downward thrust. 

Clang. 

Luke's sword rattled against the stones. The tip of my blade was an inch from his undefended chest. The other campers were silent. 

Percy lowered his sword. "Um, sorry." 

For a moment, Luke was too stunned to speak."Sorry?" His scarred face broke into a grin. "By the gods, Percy, why are you sorry? Show me that again!" 

Percy didn't want to. The short burst of manic energy had completely abandoned him. But Luke insisted.  This time, there was no contest. The moment their swords connected, Luke hit Percy's hilt and sent his weapon skidding across the floor. 

After a long pause, somebody in the audience said, "Beginner's luck?"

Luke wiped the sweat off his brow. He appraised Percy with an entirely new interest.