The Death of a Hero | Percabeth Fanfic

The Oracle

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(CHARACTERS NOT OWNED BY ME)

(IF YOU'RE BORED AND WAITING ON MY LAZY BUTT TO UPDATE. GO READ MY OTHER STORY <3)

(Also I'm switching to first person again, fight me)

JACK

When Annabeth had hesitantly grabbed my hand earlier, it had felt like I won the lottery. Then, a tiny black-haired boy started screaming about how much of a jerk I was. Which I didn't understand, but then it made me even more confused when he freaking, I dunno. Forgot he even yelled at me in the first place? I have the worst luck. 

After breakfast, Annabeth and I went to the arena to train again. I kept beating her, and she was getting really frustrated, so I just not-so-subtly let her win. Her grin when she "beat" me was so contagious, that I laughed. Then she laughed. And so we were both laughing, in the arena, getting stares from pretty much everyone. But I didn't care. I felt so relaxed and carefree, although I had a sinking feeling it wouldn't last long. 

Annabeth and I sat back-to-back in the arena, breathing hard and sweating. 

"I totally beat you. I am the best," Annabeth boasted, and I just chuckled.

"What are you laughing about? I am just. So good," Annabeth laughed and flexed her muscles, jokingly. This sent us into another laughing fit. 

When it died down, I decided to ask a question that had been gnawing at me for quite a few days. 

"Hey, Annabeth? I have a question. You might not know the answer to it, but I have to ask."

She turned around to face me, curious. I took a deep breath. 

"Was there anyone, here, ya know... with like a really specific nickname?"  

"What do you mean?" Annabeth looked pretty confused, her gears turning. 

"Like um... was there anyone with the nickname 'Wise Girl'?"

Annabeth froze. Her eyes widened, and her voice lowered dangerously. 

"Where did you find this out? And why are you asking?" 

I tried to shut it down, feeling bad for ruining Annabeth's good mood. "Oh, it's nothing. Forget about it." 

"Jack. Tell me. Now." She glared at me, and it was terrifying. 

"Uhh..." I glanced at my pocket, where I always kept the ring that washed up on the beach my first day here. Every night, I stared at it and the engraving that said, "I love you, Wise Girl." hoping to trigger some sort of memory. I debated telling her or not; I didn't know if it would change anything. She obviously knew the person who's nickname this was- and by the way she was glaring at me, it was personal. 

"Seriously, Annabeth, it's nothing. I heard a camper say it not that long ago. I was just curious."

She slowly nodded, obviously unsatisfied with my answer, but accepted it nonetheless. We didn't have time to discuss anything further, though, because just then a camper that I had never seen before ran toward us at full speed. She had her curly red hair pulled back in a bandana, and white paint on her face and clothes. She had fierce green eyes and freckles dotted her face. 

"Annabeth! The monster army came back. We don't know why, but we need you." 

She nodded stiffly. "Thanks, Rachel," then she turned to me, a desperate question in her eyes.

"Of course I'll help, Annabeth." She visibly relaxed. Rachel, as if just noticing me, eyed me up and down. Her face went through many different emotions at once. Surprise, fear, anger, happiness, and finally she composed herself for Annabeth. 

"I'm going to grab a couple weapons. Jack, stay with Rachel." Annabeth said decisively, running off. 

I didn't want to stay with Rachel. She made me nervous.

As soon as Annabeth was out of sight, Rachel came up right next to me and looked me straight in the eyes, studying me. She gasped. "I was right..." she whispered, and hugged me tightly. I felt really awkward. Then she started crying, and I tried to pat her back awkwardly in an attempt to comfort her. 

She stepped back. "It's really you, isn't it?"

"I- what? You're the second person today that has recognized me, I don't-" 

"Percy. You can drop the act." 

"I'm sorry, who?" 

She looked extremely confused. Almost as much as I was.

"It's you, isn't it? I can sense your soul. It's weird. And your eyes are exactly like I remember them." I laughed nervously. What is wrong with this girl?

"Percy... You don't remember?"

"I'm sorry, my name is Jack. And uh, no, I don't remember anything." I scratched my neck uncomfortably. 

Rachel blinked. Her eyes suddenly became cloudy, like the other boy's earlier. Then she stumbled and fell on her butt. 

"I-" She started, then winced and held the bridge of her nose.

"How did I get here? Who are you? What's going on?" Rachel said frantically, slapping my hand away as I was trying to help her up. This was even more strange than when she was calling me a different name. 

"You tell me," I shrugged, and Rachel shook her head, as if trying to clear her thoughts.

"Was I... crying? Seriously, who are you?"

"That's the million dollar question."

Then Annabeth came back. I was visibly relieved. This Rachel girl was freaking me out. 

Annabeth gave me a weird look. I glanced at Rachel, then at her, then back to Rachel. Annabeth nodded, hopefully understanding my message.

"Hello..? Are you too just having a silent conversation over here? Annabeth, you and... whoever this is, needs to go. Like now." Rachel crossed her arms, annoyed. 

Annabeth and I laughed kind of nervously and headed out, her arms full of weapons and mine patting my back pocket for Riptide. It was getting to be sundown. I felt a twinge of guilt for not going to see Kymopoleia today, but the camp needed me more. She could hang on for a while. 

I don't know what I was expecting, but thousands of monsters gathered near our border was not it. It was the first time I'd seen monsters, and I've got to admit, I was terrified. 

...

(I want to die. haha. I love writing this sm but im so stressed and quickly losing motivation. I wont neglect this tho. you guys keep me going. luv ya <3)