Cursed Legends: A Tale of Two Brothers (Percy Jackson FanFic)

[Yuuji Kazami]

Disclaimer: No, I do not own PJO. Wish I did though.

 

Perry (Pericles) Jackson: Means famous far and wide in Greek.

 

Yes, I'm a PJO fan, and I actually want to finish this story. Haters gonna hate imo.

 

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Prologue:

 

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Time waits for no man.

 

This is a rule that all mortals have to live with. Each person has set amount of time that he or she has to spend. While the time each individual has differs, eventually the clock will run out for everyone.

 

There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it.

 

For this reason, men and women have tried desperately to gain more time. Every person does it. Most people try to extend their live by trying to remain healthy. They eat right and exercise to keep their weak physical bodies from deteriorating. This method is actually valid. Taking better care of themselves will extend their lives.

 

Others try to make an impact of the world so they will be remembered. Reproduction is the usual method to making a legacy. Children are the future of mankind and by making them, you are elongating your influence past your own lifetime. In fact, this method seems far too easy at times. Harder methods of remembrance can include creating a work of art, inventing a useful machine, or doing something that will go in the history books.

 

Like anyone really cares.

 

Some men, however, try find a more... Permanent solution. They try to become immortal.

 

Yes, it sounds ridiculous.

 

These men dream of eternal youth. These men desire an invulnerable body. These men lust after the idea of never dying. Such people obsess over the thought of never facing the consequences of taking risks during their lives. To make this dream a reality they are willing to even give up their very souls.

 

Fools. The lot of them.

 

The very idea of a mortal body never dying is absurd. Every normal vessel will grow old. All mere physical bodies are vulnerable to injury. No matter what every human will die. As long as a man is still a man, he will run out of time.

 

Nevertheless, people still try. They will spend their precious time trying to find a method to gain more time. The only thing these idiots accomplish is wasting their lives on a fairy-tale dream. Despite their efforts, they die without making any real accomplishments.

 

It is the ultimate irony.

 

And yet...

 

The idea is a very pleasurable thing to think about. It would be nice to never feel yourself grow weak. Never experiencing the agony of injury is a wonderful thought. Even if such things can never exist, they are a fantastic dream. To gain what you want most out of life, to never leave it.

 

But it should be left at that, a mere dream.

 

Seeking immortality will only waste your life. In addition, consider what would happen if you actually attained eternal youth. Time would continue to flow. People would continue to die. Life would go on without you. And you would never change.

 

Scary thought, is it not?

 

Everything you know and love would disappear around you. And nothing you do will change that. You would forever be alone. No friends or family can comfort you through your hard times. No rivals would arrive to give meaning to your hard work. No enemies would come to bring excitement to your life. But you would be alive, right. And that is what matters.

 

Wrong.

 

Those who can fear death want to live. A person who cannot fear death, however, what does he want? What does a person who does not need to eat or drink to live desire? What does a person who no longer needs money to provide for themselves want? What does a man who cannot die want? The answer is simple.

 

He wants to die.

 

What? Isn't that ridiculous? Who in their right mind would want to die if they have what every mortal wants? It must be a lie right?

 

No, it's not.

 

This concept of desiring death seems insane yet sane. Just like the concept of eternal youth, immortality, and invincibility, no person can truly understand it because it is forever out of his reach. And this is where it should stay.

 

To actually gain immortality would be a curse. Not that the gods would ever admit it. They always act like living forever guarantees happiness.

 

Liars. All of them.

 

They grow tired and bored all the time. That is why they use humans for their own amusement. They promise great gifts to men if they complete impossible tasks. Promises of wealth, power, and pleasure are given to men just for a bit of entertainment.

 

Most people curse the gods for their actions. Men think that they would be just if they were gods. Women think that they would be merciful and kind if they were goddesses.

 

Hypocrites.

 

If they were in the gods' place they would be far worse than any of the Olympians.

 

As such, no one can blame the gods if they gave men a hopeless chance stay young forever. The whole idea was funny. Men would try desperately to beat the trials of the gods only to lose the time they have left. They knew that success on such a quest would be impossible.

 

This is why they were shocked to see two mere children overcome tasks that had broken the strongest men in the world.

 

It was a joke of a quest. The gods knew it. The humans knew it. Hell, everyone knew it. The only one who didn't know the truth were the two brothers.

 

They were both meant to die. That was the point. In order to avoid unnecessary risks they could bring in the future, the young heroes had to die for being powerful.

 

In the end, however, they were only cursed. Instead of the peace of the afterlife they were instead granted eternal earthly suffering.

 

At this, the gods actually pitied them. They would not have wished this fate unto their worst enemies, as the brothers were cursed to walk the face of the earth until the end of time.

 

Except, unbeknownst to the Olympians who thought themselves untouchable, fate had already set the stage in motion for their most extravagant plan to come.

 

A plan that would destroy even the very fabric of reality...

 

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Current Year 2007, Unknown Location, USA:

 

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The sun had set once again.

 

For many it would be a time of rest and relaxation. but not for them. The night was merely another different torture for them to struggle through. To them night was a hindrance, meaning only sleep.

 

And sleep meant nightmares. Nightmares so dreadful that were enough to drive even the bravest of mortals or even immortals insane.

 

But not that they seem to care anymore.

 

The night did have its pleasures, though. The stars were a comfort to their immortal souls. Seeing the twinkling lights reminded the duo that they were not completely alone, as they still had one another.

 

The fire was something they cherished even more than the stars. The warm light danced as it banished the darkness from the small clearing.

 

The darkness was an old enemy of theirs. They did not fear the shadows. Fear would suggest that darkness could actually harm them.

 

No, they did not like the darkness because it reminded them of death. Death was something they did not want to continue to dwell on.

 

The smell of cooked meat filled the air as one of them turned the rabbit over the fire. Both could have just eaten it raw but there was a chance that the smell would attract some excitement to his small camp. Whether it be enemies or just animals didn't matter to the two.

 

They both could use some kind of fight.

 

When the food was ready, one immediately grabbed it off the spit and took a bite before ripping off a large chunk and handing it to his brother. The fact that the meat was burning hot did not bother either one at all.

 

"What a surprise." The young man who grabbed the spit commented without looking up. "An Olympian actually taking time out of her busy schedule just to see us."

 

Most people would have jumped out of their skin if someone just appeared out of no where not fifteen feet away from them. Of course, neither of them fit any definition of the word normal.

 

"Hello Percy, Perry." The woman greeted them with a small smile.

 

The older teen that first spoke, now identified as Percy, continued to eat as if she was not there. Usually the woman would have been greatly offended by such rudeness. But the brothers were a special case.

 

There was a long pause before the other one spoke. "You did not answer the question, Lady Athena."

 

"Can't an aunt just visit her nephews?" Athena asked politely as she watched Perry finish his big chunk of meat.

 

"No." Was Perry's answer.

 

Perry's eyes, the only visible trait that differentiated him from his brother, were the colours of a cold heterochromic combination of a frostbite blue in the left, and a crisp wintergreen in the right. Percy's eyes instead were the colour of a calm, deep sea-green. However, both eyes still had one important trait in common.

 

They were both lifeless, dull, and tired of living.

 

Reflecting only unfriendliness, Perry's pupils quickly flickered to his brother before focusing back on the goddess, conveying a silent message to his twin. "She definitely wants something, that's for sure."

 

"Hmm, just as cold as ever aren't you, Perry." Athena spoke in more of a statement than a question.

 

"And you still did not answer my brother's question." Percy still did not look at her. He just blankly stared into the fire after meeting Perry's eyes.

 

"Indeed, I suppose I should just get to the point." As she talked, a chair appeared behind her. A goddess could not just sit on the ground, since it was obviously beneath their dignity to show some humility.

 

For the first time since she arrived, Percy finally looked at her. He had to stare up from his position on the ground to see her face. His eyes judged her for a moment until they turned back to the fire.

 

She had already failed the first test in his mind.

 

"I need a favor." She bluntly commented. Her eyes never left either of them. If she did then she knew that neither twin would help her.

 

"You and every other god." Percy had no readable tone in his voice. "What makes you think that our answer to your request will be different in any other way?"

 

This was the tricky part. If any twin detected even a hint of deception, which they could if she did lie, both would stop talking to her altogether. After all, both Percy and Perry always did value the truth.

 

"Because your morals will make you do what is right." To many that would appear corny, but to both of them it meant that she was serious.

 

"Speak, and we will listen." She had at least passed their second test as Perry spoke up. The last one will determine what they would do.

 

"My daughter will be in trouble soon." That was all she said.

 

"How do you know?" Percy was curious.

 

"A mother's intuition." She answered. There were other reasons, too. Listing them, however, would not help her cause. She knew that they didn't care about her daughter's teenage problems.

 

"Why ask me to help to help? If I remember correctly, you told me never to mess with your children again." Percy's words rang through out the clearing. Perry was silent, remembering the bad blood between his twin and Athena.

 

Of course he would not forget that conversation they had. He never forgets.

 

This time she did not answer immediately. She did in the past tell Percy to leave her daughters alone, but that was way before and this was now. If she said that, however, Percy most likely would just travel in the opposite direction of her daughter.

 

"You have the highest probability of saving her." She knew it was not what he wanted to hear, but that was the fact.

 

"And that's it, huh? That is all you have to say? You completely contradicted yourself and still expect me to save your daughter?" Percy's eyes were now completely focused on her, a silent rage burning inside them. She had failed the third test. "Goodbye, Lady Athena."

 

He looked back at the fire and Athena knew that she had failed to convince him. If Percy wouldn't go, neither would Perry. Both brothers were steadfast in their loyalty to one another.

 

"She is your family." That had no effect on the twins. A brief silence ensued.

 

"I would be willing to pay." Money meant nothing to them now. Again, another moment of silence passed the trio.

 

"I would owe you a favor." That was big coming from a powerful goddess. However, neither brother was interested, though. Finally, Athena had enough.

 

There were only two ways to get one of them to listen now. One way was the cruelest method that she could possibly imagine. The other option, however, she could never do.

 

An Olympian would never beg. No matter what.

 

"She looks like Alice."

 

Athena had just crossed a line. It hurt her to use her deceased daughter's name in such a way, but it was necessary. She knew that she would regret this, but it would save Annabeth. That was definitely more important than her relationship with the twins right now.

 

The look Percy gave her was unspeakable. Athena had seen that look before. The look that could cause men to weep, could force monsters to shake in fear, and it could even make a god to do a double take.

 

He just witheringly stared at her for several minutes. Perry continued to stay silent as he knew he had no right to interfere in Percy's sufferings, because he already had enough of his own.

 

Finally, Percy stood up off the ground while Perry carefully put out the fire.

 

The only light now was the stars and the moon. The darkness around them reminded him of the past, of death, and of his cursed life.

 

There were only three words said next. They were last words Percy would say to Athena that night.

 

"Where is she?"

 

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TBC

 

 

 

[Catterjune]

What I liked best about the Percy Jackson series was how human the narrations felt. The first five books were narrated by Percy, a regular kinda funny middle schooler/high schooler. He was a regular kind of dude thrown into an extraordinary circumstances.

 

For those that never read Percy Jackson, it's pretty much Harry Potter, but with Ancient Greek gods.

 

This fanfic takes everything that makes Percy Jackson great and throws it all away for boring melancholy angst. From the tone to the lack of characterization to the difficult to relate to characters to the boring planted Mary Sues.

 

 

tl;dr - This is like the exact opposite of Percy Jackson.

[Yuuji Kazami]

What I liked best about the Percy Jackson series was how human the narrations felt. The first five books were narrated by Percy, a regular kinda funny middle schooler/high schooler. He was a regular kind of dude thrown into an extraordinary circumstances.

 

For those that never read Percy Jackson, it's pretty much Harry Potter, but with Ancient Greek gods.

 

This fanfic takes everything that makes Percy Jackson great and throws it all away for boring melancholy angst. From the tone to the lack of characterization to the difficult to relate to characters to the boring planted Mary Sues.

 

 

tl;dr - This is like the exact opposite of Percy Jackson.

=l

 

*Tries best to stop the amount of bleeding from the emotional injuries*

 

Welp, they were only meant to be strong, and not OP. Immortal only in age, but can still be killed by combat. Guess that's still a Gary Stu? RIP.

[Catterjune]

I don't mean "Hurr, you made a Gary Stu".

Percy Jackson had Mary Sues. Thalia, Jason, Piper, all pretty blatant Mary Sue characters.

Percy Jackson also had plenty of immortal, only in age but can still be killed by combat people. (No Spoilers. ;D)

Look at the intro to the Lightning Thief:
 

Look, I didn't want to be a half-blood.

If you're reading this because you think you might be one, my advice is: close this book right now. Believe whatever lie your mom or dad told you about your birth, and try to lead a normal life.

Being a half-blood is dangerous. It's scary. Most of the times, it gets you killed in painful, nasty ways.

If you're a normal kid, reading this because you think it's fiction, great. Read on. I envy you for being able to believe that none of this ever happened.

But if you recognize yourself in these pages - if you feel something stirring inside - stop reading immediately. You might be one of us. And once you know that, it's only a matter of time before they sense it too, and they'll come for you.

Don't say I didn't warn you.

It's not some guy pretending to be a jackass poet like in your fanfic. Like, who the funk is even narrating the Prologue of your fic? Who's narrating the Current Year 2007 section?

In the actual Percy Jackson series, it's abundantly clear the kind of person the narrator is just from reading it. This is just some guy talking to us all informal and colloquial like we're in the same room as him, like he's our buddy and he's telling us a crazy story in a bar.

To reiterate:

Your problem isn't that you made Mary Sues. Percy Jackson has that (it's a story with Gods running around. Of COURSE it has Mary Sues).

Your problem is there is melancholy angst whereas Percy Jackson is comedic, lighthearted, and familiar.

You have a lack of characterization. I confused "Perry" and "Percy" and didn't even realize it multiple times.

Your characters are difficult to relate to because they lack characterization. Percy's goofy and funny and heroic when he needs to be. He'd make a sarcastic quip at Athena asking for a favor, not just "And that's it, huh? That is all you have to say?" Heck, he'd probably do it because he's just in general a nice guy.

Boring planted Mary Sue, no reason for Percy to have a TWIN brother. Nothing in the series hints to him having a twin. There's no explanation for it. And it would be so easy to drop just a regular brother on him. "Oh, Poseidon had another kid around the same time as you!" End of story. But nope, here has a twin for no reason just because loltwins.

tl;dr - This is the exact opposite of Percy Jackson, but not because of Mary Sues. Because of other reasons.

 

 

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EDIT: After the slightest bit of thinking, the intro isn't even THAT bad if you just replace a few words or add in a few of them. Make it seem like a person talking instead of some omnipotent narrator.

 

Instead of saying nonsense like "Time waits for no man. This is a rule that all mortals have to live with." just make it something like: "Time waits for no man. This is a rule that all US mortals have to live with." Just makes it much better and easier to relate to. Instead of hamming up the purple prose, try to imagine someone like... a real person sitting in front of you telling you this story, instead of imagining it like white text on a black screen like it's a trailer for the next Final Fantasy game or something.