UnKnown Powers (An UnOrdinary/Percy Jackson crossover)

Chapter 7

Isen's POV

I felt a little as if I was intruding on some private family situation. After Paul came out with his rather unanticipated statement, everything seemed to happen in a rush. Sally launched into a harangue, demanding to know all the information that Paul had implied he knew in his cryptic comment, Percy frantically trying to calm her down and offer her blue cookies, which, strangely, seemed to work to some extent. It ended up with Sally sitting on the sofa, fuming, while Percy sat next to her reassuringly, and Paul facing her, looking resigned to his fate. Blyke and I had jumped up at Sally's outburst and were now standing awkwardly to the side, wondering whether we had permission to stay. Paul let out a puff of breath before beginning,

'Now, before I start, you have to understand I kept this from you only because I had to,' he said, looking imploringly at Sally. She gave him a look as if to say 'well it's too late to do anything about that now isn't it,' but not in a patronising way.

'So, I grew up in the world of UnOrdinary. I was pretty powerful, at least, I was a high-tier, but I was never the best. I was very focused on my education, particularly English and History, and so didn't excessively try to boost my ability level. However, I did acquire the title of Jack in my second year after the previous Jack left.'

Paul gestured to Blyke and I to sit down and we did so, open-mouthed. Paul was a high-tier!? Whatever I was expecting, I definitely hadn't expected that.

Paul continued with his story.

'Well, I wasn't usually a competitive person but there was this one boy, just one, who I really didn't like and who always was just better than me at everything. When I got an A, he got A*, when I was Jack he was King, I was even a teacher there, but he was the Headteacher. Nothing I did could top him.'

'Who was he?' Percy demanded, looking a little put out by the fact that his step-dad was only the second best.

'His name was Vaughn.'

Oh. Of course. I mean, it definitely explained a lot. I had been so caught up in what was happening with Rosie and Percy that I had given barely any thought as to why we had been forbidden from coming here in the first place. Of course Headmaster Vaughn didn't want us coming and talking to his childhood (and adulthood, it seemed) rival. However, just a rivalry wouldn't explain why Vaughn didn't want Percy coming to Wellston, or Rosie coming to Wellston...? I wasn't really sure anymore. We still didn't know what was happening with Rosie, although I assumed she was from our world, she was far too young to come to Wellston. Yet, we couldn't just go back, not now we had found a high-tier. It was too big of a prize to just give up, wasn't it? Surely we wouldn't go back...empty handed? I turned back to the conversation; Paul had got to the point in his story where he'd had enough of Vaughn.

'So then, I lifted him up and I slammed him against the wall!' Paul was saying animatedly, making large gestures with his hands amidst small cheers and victorious interjections from Percy.

'So you won!?' Percy asked excitedly.

'Well...no,' Paul said, deflating as he remembered how his fight had ended.

'What!?' Percy screeched.

Paul gave a weak smile. 'I actually lost really badly. I had no idea what I was up against, I thought I was winning for the first minute but I had no chance. After I lost, Vaughn-.' He said Headmaster Vaughn's name with regret even so many years later, making me wonder how much of a hit his pride must have taken, 'he gave me a choice. He said either I could publicly state exactly how I had lost, or I could move away.'

Percy was silent now. Throughout Paul's story his face had conveyed almost every emotion to grace the earth and I deduced he must be a very observant person, he noted every detail of Paul's movement, expression, tone, everything. I had to admit, even as an outsider, I was touched at Percy's sensitivity, I hadn't expected a fighter to be so empathetic. Paul continued,

'My pride was already so hurt at my loss that I couldn't bear to be humiliated further, so I decided to move away, at the cost of hiding my ability from everyone and appearing completely normal. I wanted to tell you, both of you,' Paul said pleadingly, looking from Sally to Percy. Sally in particular seemed to have calmed down immensely and was nodding to herself gently, quietly going over everything in her head.

I looked over to Blyke who had inched closer to me, his face set in concentration. It appeared everyone needed time to process this flood of new information, but I couldn't wait. I needed to know what was happening about Rosie.

'What about Rosie?' I asked firmly, attempting to sound sympathetic as this was clearly emotionally taxing for Paul. I suspect I failed at sounding empathetic, I can be fairly blunt when I want information, and I really need this information.

'Rosie...' Paul mused, 'yes, I hadn't really considered abilities when we sired Rosie,' he said, looking slightly apologetically at Sally, 'She must have acquired my ability, but I wouldn't be surprised if hers differs slightly from mine.'

'So what's yours?' Blyke stepped in, his face a lot more sympathetic than mine. It pained me greatly to admit that Blyke was possibly better with sounding as if he cared about people's emotions than I was.

'My ability?'

We all nodded.

'Well, my ability is aura manipulation.'

Ahhhhhh I'm so sorry, I only realised today that I didn't publish the chapter for last week!! At least it means double update...