Shockwave (Percy Jackson/Michael Vey Crossover)

Chapter Seven

Percy's POV

Of course, Arty would make me make lunch. Oh, Perseus got blessed by Hestia so now he's the gods' cook! Ugh. As much as I appreciate her and Thals working their butts off to find me, I swear to all the gods, they will be making me work harder! 

We left the 'me and her' part out of our story. We hadn't put in any of the events after the war either. They knew it was too painful for me to hear or talk about it  yet. I was glad. I just- I just can't stop thinking about her. I knew I tried, but it was so hard. Now that they know about my adventures, I think after lunch I'm going to go jump off that cliff again. I need to let it all out or I'll explode.

I walked out as the Food Knight again. You guys remember him? Ostin started cheering, "All hail the Food Knight!" After I set all of the plates in front of them, they dug in. Within minutes, it was all gone. I was just picking at my blue pizza. Of course, Thalia would know that I'm feeling beat up. Stupid cousin. I didn't mean that. Thank the gods I didn't say that out loud. 

Thalia took me by the arm and led me into the forest. She glared at me, then her gaze softened, "Percy, why do you pretend that none of this bothers you? Any idiot can see that it does. When you don't eat, that's trouble." I sighed. Thalia would understand. She gets it. She's the Lieutenant of Artemis, she's the child of Zeus, she's been through just as much as I have.  But I don't really understand it yet.

I teared up, "I have to stay strong for these people. They need me. Can't you see that? They've been through so much. I understand that. They don't know what they're getting themselves into. I can help them, I know I can." She put her hand over mine. "No, Kelp Head, that's the reason you play hero. What's the other one?" 

I started crying, "It's... her. I can't stop thinking about her. So much here reminds me of her. Abigail's hair, her stubbornness, the way she insults me. Michael and Taylor being so devoted to each other. Ostin's smartness. Everything screams her and I know she cheated on me. I know she ripped my heart to a million pieces. But I- I- I can't help but love her." I sobbed into Thalia's shoulder while she held me.

I liked knowing that even when my world was crumbling around me, I would always have someone I could let loose around. Someone I could cry on. She used to be that person. But now I'll combust if I'm anywhere near her.

Thalia finally wiped my tears away, "This is hard for you. It's hard for me, too. She was the little sister I never had. I don't know why or how she dropped this low, but you can always come with the hunters if you want to. You have a place there. They respect you. Even Zoe respected you and she respects no man. Some of them even love you like a brother. Like I do." Wow. It was really rare to see Thalia get this sappy. 

I sniffled, "Aww, Thals. You really do care." She punched me in the arm, "Don't get full of yourself, Aquaman. Do you know how hard it was to make Piper stay home?" I shivered. That girl was going to give me a beating if I ever saw her again. 

I smiled, "Thanks, Thals. I really needed that. But you know I can't do that. My place is with them now. Oh, and please don't let Piper kill me." Thalia snorted, "I expected that. And I make no promises." We walked out of the forest together, where Artemis was busy talking to the Electroclan.

Michael's POV

I watched Percy and Thalia walk into the woods. I wonder if they're a couple. There was no relationship talk at all in their story. It was obvious that those two were really close, though. 

Percy. He was a true hero. A leader. He led everyone he knew through wars and he succeeded. Even when all the odds were piled against him, he pushed his way through. I mean, he defeated the god of war in combat and beat him at twelve years old with no training! He held the sky! He made his way through literal hell. He even turned down godhood. There was no way I could live up to that.