Snippet From my Disney Descendants Political Story (Yes, this is technically a PJO crossover, but if it’s on Disney+ I’m considering it fair game)
Percy only had one gift from his father. Percy often wondered what the point was of his father even giving him a gift. He had read the stories. Poseidon was supposed to be a god who would do anything for his children. He had destroyed navies, drowned kingdoms, and sent monsters when his children called out for his help.
But apparently, not for Percy.
No, all Poseidon had done for Percy was give him a weapon when he turned twelve.
Ariel had comforted Percy as best she could. Ariel and Eric had taken him in and loved him as much as they did their daughter, Melody. Percy’s cousin, Hercules, visited regularly and tried to help too. But Percy wasn’t stupid. Percy wasn’t the same as Melody. He certainly wasn’t the same as Hercules’s sons. There had to be something…bad about him that no one would tell him.
Percy looked at the list of rules for Auradon Prep in his hand. Well. List was putting it lightly. Booklet was probably a better word for it.
“Can I take it?” Percy asked, ignoring the prick the little needle made in his hand as he clung to the broach.
Ariel reached over and absently messed up some of his blonde curls as she met Percy’s eyes. “As long as they don’t know what it actually is. Everyone is allowed to have jewelry. And if anyone says anything, just play the sympathy card, okay? Good people will never look cruel by taking away your only gift from your father.”
Percy nodded, running his thumb along the length of the pin. “...Why is everything different for me, Ariel?”
Ariel took a deep breath and sat down on Percy’s bed, patting the area next to her. Percy sat down too.
“You’re fourteen now. We wanted to hold off on telling you, but I doubt anyone else will let it be a secret. At Auradon, you’ll meet lots of people. Do you remember what we taught you about how people work?”
Percy nodded. “You said there are ‘Good’ people, who try to keep up appearances because they don’t want to look bad, and ‘Moral’ people, who do the right thing because it is the right thing to do. Even if it isn’t socially acceptable.”
Ariel nodded. “When you go to school, there will be people who call you Bad. Evil. Maybe even Villainous. And I need you to know that this is not your fault. Alright? You have done nothing wrong, Percy.”
Percy swallowed but didn’t interrupt. He knew that Ariel would tell him why. She never hid things from him. Not things that mattered.
Ariel took a deep breath. “When you were born, Atlantis and Tirulia both celebrated. You were the first child born to Grandfather Poseidon in nearly fifty years. A new prince of the seas was a joyous occasion. You and Sally were going to come live here, as part of the royal family. I’ve never seen grandfather more excited. But then…there was a prophecy.”