The Fates be Damned

by sparrow_olympiad

Summary:

Percy has decided ultimately that there's nothing he can do about his situation, but the fates can't touch him.

This will be his 3rd life, he had a plan, but that's the thing about Percy Jackson, just as much as he wants to plan life out and prepare; he's always been good at jumping in headfirst and figuring it out as he goes.

Does that mean he can't have a little fun with it, no it does not. Maybe he'll meet some new faces along the way.

The fates can be as confused as the want.

Notes:

I am not sure what I am doing here, but tbh this is my first pic ever.
I just got tired of reading fanfic and wanting it to go a certain way, ya know.
Anyway the best you're gonna get.

Chapter 1: FOR THE 3RD TIME

-- Percy --

“You are not meant to be here, you should not know,” said Clotho.

Clotho had objected to my presence last time, she spins the thread, she’s the first to know. 

Not that she wasn’t wrong. I wasn’t supposed to be here. The first time I had assumed it was their fault, the fates, that Clotho, Atropos, and Lachesis were just trying to right some wrong. 

However, now, more than a couple of non-linear years later, I just think the entire universe just wants me to either suffer eternally or save something. What that something is, who knows, clearly not the fates. 

“I cannot understand it either, I am one who should not be at this time. I have no control over it, and neither do you Spinners of Eternity." 

They look at me, holding between them a white thread, as they tie it to their current project, a pair of socks. I watch them cut away the previous thread, an aquamarine color. My old life. 

Then the fates spoke in unison “You are not one of ours, but we will weave you as you see fit. You are right, young hero, we do not have control. But we ask of you one thing, do not change the whole pattern, if you do so we cannot keep the universe together.”

They didn’t say this last time? Well you were kind of freaking out last time. Oh yeah. 

“Hold fast Perseus.”

---

My eyes were heavy, they were last time too, I think. 

I waited to open them, she was always so young when I saw her again. It took me a few years to realise how much my generation resembled our parents, not in the extravagant things like, fatal-flaws but in the small things. Annabeth is right there, she will be haunted by Luke and Thalia her whole life just as Athena was haunted by Pallas. 

That is if I don’t save them, but I will.

The light flooded in, and I spoke with her, mimicking her voice too as she said it even as my eyes threatened to close again, “He’s the one. He must be.” 

I couldn't tell you what happened after that, because I think Chiron may have dropped me. He was fun to surprise, with so many heroes throughout the years it was surprisingly hard. Even given my knowledge and background.

---

I came to, sitting on the porch of the big house, with the long-island sound stretching across my periphery. It was quite comfortable, picturesque as well. A moment that for years had been engrained in my mind, Camp Half-Blood before the war, before the bad times. 

A valley of perpetual summer.

I tried to stand, but my legs felt like jelly. I probably had the after effects of a concussion too. 

Turning around I grabbed the glass of nectar and drank a long sip, even years later my moms cookies ran true. Freshly baked, maybe I should go say hi soon. Well after uncle let her go. Thinking about that I should probably get on that. Onward shall we.

I stand. Let's get this over with.

“Where are you going Percy?” I jumped. Shoot, forgot about him. “Sorry Grover, just looking around.” 

“Are you ok, you should be sitting down” said Grover, “I’d prefer my savior didn't collapse again, I-I really owe you my life Percy.” He sure sounded worried, so young too.

He tried leading me back towards the chair, but unfortunately for Grover I already had my mind made up. My legs had adjusted just enough, he’s not expecting me to run and I just need to get past the barrier.

“Sorry Grover”, you’ll hate me for this, “the sea does not like to be restrained” and I bolted down the steps and out towards Thalia’s tree. 

A loud ‘bahhh,’ yelled after me and I could hear the clop of hooves down the Big House stairs, but I dare not look back. Grover was a fast starter and I didn't have enough energy to outrun him while also checking how close he was.

---

Don't look back at Percy . 

This was for the best. No one needed to die, I’ve done this twice already. Maybe if I succeed whoever or whatever has kept me here will allow me to go.

Convincing myself is not the hard part. I made that mistake last time. I tried to keep my old friendships, save the relationships I had relied on so much. But these aren’t the same people, me being here changes that. They don't have the same life experiences that I have and their all so young.

It was better for everyone here that Percy Jackson became a myth they never met. 

No one will die on my watch. Camp Half-Blood will stay an eternal summer, a safe haven. Everyone would live long enough to pass quietly in their sleep, comfortably surrounded by their loved ones. 

Not being included in that group is worth it, if it means everyone lives.

Chapter 2: MY STUPIDITY CATCHES UP WITH ME

Summary:

I think the title is pretty self-explanatory.

-- Percy --

Trying to outrun a satyr while having a concussion and just having woken up from a coma is not easy. I don’t know who told you it was, but yet here I am doing exactly that. Grover is fast, even if he won’t admit it.

Thalia’s tree was easy to spot and a nice target. Once I crossed that line I was no longer under Chiron’s command. That small rule at camp of ‘no one can leave without permission’ kind of went out the door when you actually got out. Like they couldn't do much out here, other than try and convince you to come back? And I hadn’t been claimed just yet in this timeline, so my father had no claim over me.

The Hermes kids had been leaving for years, the camp store was not big enough for growing children and teens. It was also as if the store had an inventory list from the 50s, and nothing had been updated since. So it had become a traditional way before my time for hermes kids to take a little trip to the nearest Stop & Shop. Travis and Stoll had done it in his time, and Luke had even done it when he lived at camp. Chiron really couldn't do anything unless he actually caught you.

“PERCYYYYY” Grover yelled from somewhere behind me, a bit too close for my liking. Fuck, run faster dude . 

I had just made it to the volleyball courts, with the Apollo kids playing a game, I realized how f-ed I was. Shoot should have thought this through. 

“Stop that kid!” a girl's voice yelled behind me, Annabeth had joined the chase. Of course she realized it was better to corner me. 

Look at that, there's Lee Fletcher running straight at me. Oh well I tried, no point fighting it.

My legs sure do hurt, maybe I'll just sit down –

---

I probably should have waited a bit.  

I could feel my whole body right now and not in the normal way, like the screaming way. But the bed is definitely comfortable.

I don't want to open my eyes, maybe if I just lay here I can wait till they leave the room. Yes, let's try that. They're not going to leave you alone. Yes I knew that, wishful thinking, and I slowly opened my eyes. 

Lee Fletcher, again, the head of councilor of cabin seven. He’s just sitting there in a chair in the corner of the room looking at a, maybe medical chart? I probably scared the shit out of everyone, he’s probably here to talk me out of whatever they think I was up to. It not worth the –

“Hello?” shit, how the hell. Percy, pay attention. 

“ Hello.” I responded. 

“You can surely run fast for someone who broke their ankle, it was almost fixed too,” Lee said disappointedly. “Now I have to heal you all over.”

“I’m sorry?” 

“Are you asking me? Cause from the way you made us chase after you, I don't think you really are.” Ohh yeah, he's super disappointed. Apollo has the exact tone of voice, didn’t realize it was genetic. Or maybe it’s like an all medics thing?

“Percy, are you listening to me?” 

Well you sir are very good at interrupting my trains of thought. I scowled at him. 

“I am going to take that as a yes, now just hold still.” He said getting up and adjusting my right foot, Ow . Oh yeah I messed that up for sure. Lee wrapped it in bandages and then looked back at me.

“You see that glass on the nightstand behind you? Can you just take a few sips? "he asked.

Yeah I could totally do that. Sure enough on the nightstand was a glass of nectar.

“Two sips should be enough. Great, thanks Percy. That's all for now.” He looked straight at me, he so young “I can trust you to not run off right?”

I nodded. “Good, because Argus is right outside that door” and he pointed to the door on the left of us, “and he isn’t happy about your little break for it.” Yeah that made sense.

“Ok then, see you later! Welcome to camp!” A smile spread across his face turning to leave. 

“Wait.” Lee stopped and turned around. “Don't worry about Will he’s gonna find his place by the end of the summer.” 

“What?” He said shocked. “What do you mean? How do you know Will?”

I don’t just yet, you're absolutely right. “Nothing, just thought you’d like to know.” He looked out the window and tilted his head slightly, thinking. 

Then he turned, nodded to me, and walked out the door. Okay? I wasn't expecting that reaction. Probably the best reaction I could have hoped for.