The Truth Behind The Myths

Tigers and Bears, No Lions

Third Person POV

During Percy's five minute break, the Hazel girl from the border brought him a small bottle of water.

"I usually wouldn't give someone advice on something like this, but don't go into the next fight with an attitude."

He raised an eyebrow at her. "Why not?"

"Frank, he doesn't mess around. You may be able to infuriate or sass off your other opponents, but Frank won't take it and it will just make your defeat more humiliating."

"Who said I was going to be defeated?" 

"See, that's what I'm talking about. You act like you're the best there is."

"Ever considered that I am?" He asked. Hazel opened her mouth to reply but he cut her off. "I respond to my opponents as I see fit. If I think I can use attitude or sarcasm to my advantage I will. If I think that playing up the anger of the other warrior will help me gain the upper hand, I will do just that. Thank you for your concern, but I know what I'm doing."

She opened her mouth to retaliate, but another voice cut in. "Five minutes is up, Timber. Get out here."

Percy stretched, making sure his muscles hadn't tightened, then moved to the center of the arena and flipped the woman in the purple cape a lazy two finger salute. "Reporting for duty, if you can call this that."

The woman's eyes narrowed at him for a moment, but she turned to the crowd rather than replying to him. "Rowan has requested that Jack Timber fight our very own Praetor Zhang. You have all decided that this is the option that you would most like to see, so I have spoken with Praetor Frank and he has agreed to do so."

Cheers rose up from the crowd. The woman held her hands up for silence and it quickly reigned.

"The only advice I have given Frank is to be cautious about what he does."

There were some boos. It seemed that this Frank guy could do some impressive stuff.

"Timber, are you ready?"

Percy nodded, facing the door.

"Begin!" The woman shouted. The gate began to open and a boy of about 18 stepped out. He was tall and muscular, with black hair and eyes and the easily recognizable complexion of someone who was of Asian decent. His bulk made him look heavy, but the son of Poseidon could see speed and skill in the way he moved. A second look revealed that this was the man Percy had seen at the border.

He stopped about twelve feet from Percy, with a spear strapped over his back and a war quiver hanging at his hip. A rather impressive bow was gripped loosely in his hand.

Percy got the message instantly. 

This guy was good.

"So kid, how old are you?" The praetor asked conversationally as he and Percy circled each other.

"14."

"Impressive. Not many demigods keep themselves from monsters and the camps for that long."

"I grew up on the streets." Percy could tell that no amount of sweet-talking or goading would help his case here, so he settled for casual discussion while he looked for an opening. "I learned to defend myself pretty effectively."

Frank suddenly fired three arrows at Percy, the process of drawing, aiming and firing all three only taking about 5 seconds.

Percy jerked his sword up to deflect the arrows and Frank lunged forward, pulling the spear from his back so he could use it. His bow disappeared and Percy had a moment to guess that it turned into the gold ring on his hand before he was going sword on spear with a very skilled fighter.

It seemed they were evenly matched in skill, but Percy had a shorter weapon and therefore an advantage.

Pushing inside the larger boy's reach, Percy went on an offensive that he knew would be a risky move.

It paid off. Soon Frank was backing up quickly, trying to keep his balance from the close blows he was trying to block.

The crowd began to get restless, booing, and Percy couldn't resist glancing up at them and frowning. He was fighting their praetor, for gods' sakes, what more did they want?

As soon as he looked up, a cheer went up in the crowd, confusing him.

When he turned back to the fight, however, it became abundantly clear what they were cheering about.

Percy found himself practically nose to nose with a Bengal tiger.

"Holy Pluto!" He yelped, scrambling backwards. 

The tiger advanced, intelligence shining in it's yellow eyes.

"I gotta say, that's one sick party trick." Percy said loudly once he'd finally regained his composure.

The cat lunged.

In the span of another 30 or 45 seconds, Percy had fought a large eagle, a bear, a chimpanzee (that was an interesting one), and a rhinoceros.

Now Frank was flying a few feet above him, courtesy of bright red dragon wings, and firing arrows down at him.

Percy ducked under whizzing projectiles, his mind racing. How was he going to get out of this one.

The answer revealed itself almost immediately.

Charmspeak.

"Hey," Percy started, imagining a power in his voice that would carry to the person he was addressing, "Why don't we just go one on one, ground level, without a zoo erupting."

It didn't work, but Frank did hesitate.

Percy tried again. "Come down, lose the wings, fight me spear on sword."

Frank did.

Awesome, Percy thought as he once again crossed blades with the 'older' boy.

Frank stumbled as his boot hit one of the many arrows sticking out of the ground and Percy took the advantage, knocking his spear away and quickly laying his sword on the other boy's neck.

"I yeild." Frank said calmly.

"Coolio. Seriously, bro, that was a sick little ace in the hole." Percy told him.

"I like to think so."

"Jack Timber, it is time for the decision."

[A/N How was that for action? Lemme know]