Chapter 10: I can't do this

Percy POV~

I sat there in my corner for quite a while. My face was stained with my tears, my hair most likely even worse than a birds nest. I still held the baby, in fact I was squeezing it to death.

Oh wait, it is already dead.

A new wave of depression crashed onto me. I did this. I ended this poor child's life. Has my life really become this messed up? That people whom I don't know, or barely know, are daring because of my selfish actions. Because my fatal flaw was that big of a deal?

Yes.

I hear my rusty cell door open and someone entering. I am too exhausted to even move my head up, I had spent most of energy sobbing. I felt rough and grimy hands grab my face and force it upwards. I glared as I saw Loki's beady eyes. I spit in his face.

A look of shock passed over his face before it shifted into it's usual unemotional statue like face.

"I have a job for you, Perseus," He whispered in my ear, causing me to shiver involuntarily. "I want you to go and kill some people for me. We need to stir up some panic." I could practically hear the smile on his face.

I bit my lip, I could not do this. Even though my parents are shackled in here somewhere, I knew my mother would never forgive me if I did this. She would not care that her own life was on the line if she knew I was murdering the innocent.

Loki must have seen my facial expression.

"Well then, I know something that will make you instantly say yes."

I felt my hands get warmer and my eyes widened. The baby that was dead to the world a few minutes ago, was now breathing her color coming back.

Yes, I knew she was girl. She was naked.

My hands flew to my mouth, trying to mask my gasp. He brought her back. Loki smiled sadistically, and he grabbed my wrist.

I felt a burning sensation and watched as he melted the metal of my handcuffs. Then he snatched up the baby, whom was sleeping soundly. "Now Percy, go and drown a few people or.." Loki pointed at the baby then put his index finger to his throat and slowly dragged it across.

I couldn't do this. This was too much pressure. If I said yes, I would be a traitor to my people. They would hate me. However, if I said no the baby would get killed. Or worse, tortured.

Loki had me in a corner that I desperately wanted to get out of.

I looked away and took a deep breath.

"Yes."

"Yes, what?"

I squeezed my eyes shut and took a shuddering breath. "Yes, Master."

Tony (Iron Man) POV~

Thor was having a mini panic attack while the rest of us kinda just stood there, our jaws touching the ground.

I mean after seeing that who would not feel shocked, horrified, and nauseated all at the same time? I know I was.

"What has happened to that poor boy! What is my brother doing to him," Thor shouted angrily, startling us. He's usually very cool and collected. No one responded as Thor began to pound his fists on the wall. I began to lose myself in my thoughts, most of them centered around that teen, Perseus.

"We are going to lose," That got my attention. I looked at him with an eyebrow raised,"What are we going to lose?"

This was the first time I have ever seen Thor face palm. "Is it not obvious? A war! Why else would Loki scoop up our warrior?!"

Wait, warrior!?

"He is a warrior? Like a soldier?" Steve asked, his eyes curious. I mentally rolled my eyes. Him and his soldiers.

Thor nodded, "Yes, and one of the greatest if I may add. And now he is in the hands of my brother." A pained expression was on Thor's face. It was obvious he did not like speaking about his brother.

I tried to lighten up the mood by saying,"C'mon guys, lets get out of here. It looks as if we took a bath in strawberry jam."

Okay, that sounded much better in my head in my defense. I was receiving glares left and right.

Eventually after everyone finished paying Lets see who can glare at Tony the hardest, we exited the once beautiful apartment.

We all walked back to headquarters in silence, no one willing to start up a conversation. Soon Stark towers came into view, and I could not help but smile. Despite the grumbling coming from everyone.

What? I was never good with sadness, so I usually just hid it all behind a smile. Which is the best way to keep your emotions bottled up.

I pushed open the glass doors and was welcomed with the cooling breeze coming from the AC. I scurried towards the elevator and waited impatiently as everyone took their sweet time getting in. I quickly pushed the button with the number twenty-one on it. I continued to jam my finger on it until we finally reached out stop.

Outside the door, stood Nick Fury.

And I realize they call him Fury for a reason.

After Nick finished his tantrum, we were sent to our rooms. Well not literally, but we were escorted to the Avengers section. Not that I was particularly complaining. We have pop tarts here.

I had just sat down on the couch ready to drown my shock in pop tart deliciousness when a voice crackled over the intercom.

"Avengers report to Time Square. I repeat Avengers report to Time Square." What was so bad that we were called in?

An awful feeling settled in my stomach and I had feeling we were not going to find something we liked.

CAMP HALF-BLOOD ( Third Person ) POV~

Nico and Thalia had been sobbing over their lost cousin for a good two hours. They just could not believe that Kelp Head kicked the bucket. That he was gone from their lives. And the realty of the situation struck them quite hard.

Seeing that they were the closest to him, perhaps even closer than Annabeth, they were reduced to a slimy sobbing mess when they heard the news.

You should have seen them at the funeral. Their cries could be heard from China. That's how loud they were.

So you can imagine how displeased they were when Chiron interrupted their little 'session'.

"I need you two to go and investigate. A mysterious figure is currently killing mortals and time square and I need you two to stop them," Chiron told them and left before they could object. Sighing Nico reached over to hold Thalia's hand, who instantly jumped back.

"Do not hold my hand Death Breath, I am hunter!" Thalia yelled at him, who only rolled his eyes.

"We are shadow travelling Pine Cone Face. How did you expect us to get there fast enough," Nico asked an eyebrow raised. Thalia huffed in annoyance and tried to cover up her embarrassment.

"Yes I knew that Neeks. Now hurry up so I don't have to hold your hand longer then needed." Nico only chuckled.

In the past few years Nico has almost perfected Shadow Travel. Well not mastered, but at least he did not pass out as soon as they got to their destination any more.

Grabbing Thalia, he ran into a shadow at top speed and soon they were in the middle of Time Square. Luckily, the Mist covered up their sudden appearance.

They looked around and tried to pinpoint the killer. It took about five seconds. In the middle of hurricane was a teenager in green armor. A mask covered his face, concealing his identity. It was the same color green as his armor with eye holes and it covered half his face, showing his mouth.

Mortals tried to run away, only to be grabbed by watery hands. A sadistic smile was on his lips as he laughed while drowning his victims.

Thalia called on the clouds and was soon flying, despite her fear of heights. Shadows began to gather around Nico until he was completely shrouded by it.

As the duo began to near the monster, the winds began to pick up and it started to rain.

"I am so glad you could join the party, Thalia and Nico!" The teen announced, clapping his hands together in happiness. The two were surprised for two reasons. One, how did he even notice them, they were being extra stealthy, Two, how in the name of Hades did he now our names?

Four rather large hands wrapped around them, and even with all their squirming they could not escape their rock solid grip.

Thalia and Nico were being brought closer and closer to the masked teen, and they did not want to meet him.

Soon they were only a few feet away. There was an evil glint in his blue eyes. "So how are you today, Death Breath and Pine Cone Face?"

(To be honest I was going to stop it here, but I decided to write more :) )

Thalia POV~

I was shocked.

No wait, I was beyond shocked. I was terrified. How did this unidentified male know my nickname? Something only my closest friends, but mainly my cousins. However, the only other person who would even call me that is dead.

The male stared at us with his intimidating blue eyes, before turning away. Most likely to kill more innocent.

I felt sick to my stomach. Here in front of me was the person who single handily killed numerous people, and I was doing nothing about it.

This thought sent me into action. I concentrated and called to the lightning to strike him down.

The boy was soon twitching and his mask was beginning to crumble. Following my lead, Nico also used his powers to harm this male. Shadows began to wrap tightly around the killer as wiggled like a worm.

Though something confused me. Why was he not fighting back? It was obvious he could do some critical damage, yet we were basically left alone besides the hands holding us tightly. However, even their grip was slackening.

Had he tired himself out? Or was he planning something even huger?

By now the mask was nearly off. And I nearly screamed when I saw his face. There stood my supposedly dead cousin. Percy 'Freakin' Jackson.

Percy looked horrified and guilt was plastered on his face. He should be guilty. He killed all these people and even laughed while he did it! Where was my hero of a cousin?

We were dropped onto the floor instantly. The landing was anything but gentle. A strange group of people began to approach us. However, with one of my famous glares, they stopped moving towards us. Instead, they starting moving towards Percy at an alarming rate.

What were they doing.

"Perseus! Stop this! You know you do not want to do this, so stop!" A tall man with a red cape and a hammer yelled.

Percy clenched his fist, but kept the storm going. Now rain began to pour down on us as Percy's emotions began to go all over the place.

Pain, guilt, and most of all fear were written all over his face. I understand guilt, but why pain and fear? He seemed to be having an internal argument and by the looks of it, he was not winning.

What I would give to know what was going on in that idiot's head.

Percy POV~

I can't do this. I just can not.

I stare down at my cousins, my little family.

I could not hurt them. No matter what Loki said.

Ah, but you must. Or shall I give the baby a few slices to convince you?

No, no..

I tugged at my hair. I could not decide. I can not just have him hurt the baby, but I could not just hurt my cousins either.

Decide Perseus, decide.

How am I suppose to decide?! You are basically making me chose whether to kill a bunch of orphans or setting off a nuclear bomb in a church.

Neither of them sound very promising.

Time is running out my puppet.

I scrunch up my face like a smelled something nasty. He did not just call me a puppet.

After practically being the pawn of Olympus for years, I most certainly did not enjoy being a puppet. Especially his puppet.

I am so sorry..

Tears are rolling down my cheeks in waves as everyone just stares.

I have become what all demigods despise. A monster.

And by the look in Thalia's eyes I knew that is how she saw me now. I murdering, psychopathic monster.

The man in the red cape was yelling at me, but I felt as though I had gone deaf.

The realization of what I had done has finally hit and I began to feel numb. I could not feel a thing.

Except the beating of my heart. It continued to get louder and soon my ear drums were ready to burst from the noise.

A steady clapping breaks my thoughts as a figure begins to walk through the lashing rain.

"Well done Perseus, Well done. You have made me proud," Loki's voice echoed in the now vacant Times Square.

My body is tense as he addresses me. I suddenly feel vulnerable. Here I was with my emotions running free as Loki made a joke of it all. I felt as though I was made of porcelain and I could shatter in a moments notice.

Everything I worked so hard to get was all chipping away like old paint. The numbness returned as my darker thoughts began to roll in.

Some hero you are, you just killed hundreds of innocent people.

Your cousins hate you.

You are and forever will be a monster.

I shut my eyes, trying to block out the thoughts. It is not working.

You belong to Loki now. He has you wrapped around his disgusting finger.

And if you even dare to stray away, everyone you love will feel his wrath. But if you do what he says you end up becoming a serial killer.

Aren't you just living the dream?

As Loki got closer, my breaths began to shorten, up until the point I was barely even breathing. He was inches away from me and whispered in my ear,"Finish them."

What to do, what to do?

I feel like I am drowning. Drowning in my soul. Whatever I choose ends up being a bad deal. I feel like I am back in control of my body and Loki seems to find my problem quite amusing.

Bastard,

I bite my lip and look over at my cousins, Nico and Thalia. I couldn't. I wouldn't.

I began to sob as I look Loki in the eye and whisper, barely audible,

"No."

Well today was a half day so I decided to write this :)

( by the way Matt, thank you for calling me all those nice things :) Note my sarcasm)

Anyway, may I just warn you that things will get somewhat better in upcoming chapters. So it's not always so bad! And thanks to all of you who left such nice reviews for the last chapter :) really warmed my heart.

Man I am using smiley faces WAY too often.

Ok well I have to go and do my Algebra homework now :(

Peace out cub scout

~Stuckbetween2worldss