Here are some of the commonly asked questions answered (feel free to ignore)
Is this going to be Percabeth?: No. Though I do support Percabeth, in this story it would just be stupid to establish a pairing. Besides, I have already hinted towards Annabeth having on off screen relationship with someone unimportant.
Is Percy going to have a pairing?: No, not at this moment. I cannot think of anyone appropriate.
How many more chapters are there going to be?: I'm planning around five or six.
Is there going to be a sequel?: I'm thinking yes….I already have a working title 'The Worth of the World."
Percy forgot what it felt like to fly Blackjack. He never realised how much he missed the wind through his hair, to see a nice view of New York—he felt free. Up here no one could get him. No one could contact him. It felt nice. He felt like a teenager again…..well, a really tired and battered teenager.
Circle above, Percy said to Blackjack as they reached Central Park.
Sure, Boss, it seemed his Pegasus still liked to annoy Percy by calling him boss.
Percy shook his head at his horses antics before looking down at the park. He focused on the Zoo but didn't even see a single bright flash of Natasha's fiery hair. He guided Blackjack a little lower, watching with disinterest as the mortals looked in awe at the apparent 'kite' (honestly, a kite? Blackjack looked like a kite through the mist? The things mortals would believe).
"They have to be here," Percy said to himself as he tangled his fingers in Blackjacks silky mane. He felt a pang of worry, but it soon became lost in the swirling storm of emotions that was building up inside him.
You reckon that café sells donuts?, Blackjack questioned as he nodded his head towards a little café nestled away from. Percy was just going to ignore his horsey friend, but when he looked at the café he saw a flash of red followed by the sound of muffled gun shots. Percy instantly urged his friend into a dive. Standing up slightly on Blackjacks back he took a moment to evaluate the situation.
Natasha had gotten her hand on a gun and was pointing it at Jeff's head. Ten other men had guns trained on her, but she didn't seem to care. Clint seemed to be in the worst position though. Jeff had him in a choke hold while he pointed a gun at the archers head. The male SHIELD agent was sporting a rapidly bleeding head wound and most likely a concussion.
For each man you take down, you get a donut, Percy said to Blackjack as they landed.
Instantly half of the guns became trained on him. Natasha spared a glance at him and Percy was surprised by the harshness of the glare. It made him want to crawl into a hole just to get away from her. Jeff blinked in surprise and looked him up and down.
"You came weapon less?" the black haired man snorted in amusement as he took the safety off his gun.
"No," Percy said as he straightened to his full height, gripped the hilt of his sword and pushed down the lethargic feeling that was running through his body. He gave a mental all clear to Blackjack and watched for a fraction of a second as Blackjack reared up high and brought his hoofs down upon one of the men with a gun.
Natasha took the distraction and used it to her advantage. Ducking low to avoid bullets she shot Jeff's exposed left knee. As Jeff cried out in pain, his hold on Clint lessoned. The archer dropped and rolled out of the way, grabbing the fallen gun in the process. Natasha and Clint then began shooting down the remaining men (Blackjack had already taken out three). Percy on the other hand kept his gaze trained on Jeff who was looking like his about to make a run for it (well, he couldn't exactly run with a ruined leg.)
Percy though wouldn't have any of that. He charged forward and tackled the man to the ground and pinned him down with his knees.
"You recovered faster than planned," Jeff muttered as he shifted a little bit under Percy's heavy hold.
"I'm just full of surprises," Percy gazed over his shoulder and watched as Natasha finished the last armed man by shooting him cleanly through the thigh.
"So am I," Jeff suddenly bucked up, forcing his knees into Percy's back. He then in one swift, well executed move threw Percy off him. Percy landed hard on the ground—shocked into stillness for a moment. How had Jeff been able to throw him off? Percy was the bigger man, and Jeff had been shot in the knee….
But as Percy looked up he watched as the last of the wound of Jeff's knee disappeared. How could he heal so fast? Percy didn't have time to think as he stood up and charged again, ignoring the tired and pained cries of his body in the process. He fainted towards the right before snaking up and landing a solid right hook. Jeff seemed unaffected though as he cracked his neck and returned with a right hook of his own.
Percy blinked away stars before bending down low and shoulder ramming the man. Jeff fell to the ground again and Percy was upon him in a flash, throwing punches left right and centre on the man. He then remembered he had a sword and he drew it. Pressing it against the older man's neck he watched a little drop of blood rolled away.
"Why not just kill me? I'll just be another person added to the list," Jeff chuckled despite the sharp sword held against his neck, "you must be so glad your mother isn't alive to see what you've become."
Percy pressed the sword a little harder, making more blood flow; "don't talk about her," he hissed.
"Emotional much?" Jeff seemed to find the situation highly amusing.
The son of Poseidon was tempted to run him through with his sword right there and then, but he felt a hard, cold grip settle on his shoulder. Turning he saw the glowing golden face mask of Iron Man staring down at him.
"Cool your jets, Lancelot," the slightly metallic voice of Tony said. Percy noticed that his suit was rather bashed up and dented.
"Ooh, Lancelot? Nice name. I must say Stark if there is one thing I can appreciate about you it's your sense of humour," Jeff's face was slowly beginning to become less bruised, "oh, and your Arc Reactors. Fabulous little things."
"So I've been told," Tony muttered as he pressed down on the side of his calf, making a little hatch open. Natasha walked up and grabbed a pair of handcuffs from within.
"Hands," she said harshly as she held the handcuffs.
"Anything for you, hot stuff," he said with a grin as he easily wiggled his hands out from where they had been pinned by Percy.
Only once the leader of AIMs hands had been cuffed did Percy stand up. He knew the man could escape easily if he so chose. Percy took a couple of steps back and caught his breath. His whole body cried out in pain and he could feel his jaw swelling from the harsh hit he had been dealt.
A bird landed in the field, making the trees bend away and the scattered debris. Blackjack pranced away and neighed nervously. Percy walked on shaking legs and put a comforting hand on his horse's neck. Clint climbed into the cockpit of the bird while Natasha watched with a keen gaze as Stark lead Jeff into the back of the aircraft.
You owe me some donuts, boss, Blackjack skittered away again as the bird took off.
"Yeah," Percy leant heavily on his friend, feeling the adrenaline race out of him, "I do."
"You shouldn't have come," Natasha looked at him and glared heavily.
"I couldn't leave you to fight him alone," Percy muttered as he watched another bird prepare to land.
"Yes, you could," Natasha walked up to Blackjack who backed away nervously.
She's angry, Boss; Blackjack said as he flared his nostrils and neighed nervously.
"Thank you, Captain Obvious," Percy muttered to Blackjack as he moved towards his horse and swung up onto his back.
SHIELD agents came out of the newly landed bird and began apprehending the goons with guns. Natasha took the moment to climb aboard the winged horse skilfully. Blackjack neighed nervously and swung around to look at her with an accusing glance.
"He doesn't like you on him," Percy said as an explanation, surprised Natasha had instantly gone for the horse, not the plane.
"Too bad," Natasha seemed rather short and testy, "get us back to the Hellicarrier."
Percy slung himself up onto the horse guided him mentally upwards into the sky. Natasha didn't even seem fazed as she gripped onto the horse with her legs. Blackjack neighed nervously and kept on saying how he had a fair of ten donuts per extra passenger. Percy tried to get a hold of himself and get himself ready for the chewing out Fury would give him. Honestly, he just wanted to sleep.
They landed on the deck of the Hellicarrier, yet again making the ground staff nervous. Percy guided Blackjack away from the landing area and towards the service deck. Natasha jumped off at the first chance and walked confidently inside the aircraft without a second glance. Percy knew he was in big trouble.
He climbed off Blackjack slowly, suddenly feeling like an old man. He patted Blackjacks mane before letting the winged horse return to Camp. Percy walked slowly back into the building and towards the bridge. The bridge was a flurry of activity. Agents walked around sorting things out while others tapped away at their computers with amazing speed. As always, there was Zach, playing Galaga (how Fury hadn't caught him yet remained a mystery).
The Avengers (minus Clint) sat around the table with Annabeth, Thalia and Nico. Nico was looking rather grouchy as he slumped in the seat. At the sight of Percy, Nico seemed to darken even more. Percy gave a helpless mental shrug before instantly drawing himself higher at the advancement of Fury.
"You deliberately disobeyed orders," Fury began, "despite the fact that nobody wanted you on the mission."
"I have a bad habit of doing that" was all Percy could say.
"You put not only yourself in danger, but every other agent that was taking part," Fury continued to advance while the room fell into a deathly silence, but was broken by Tony's amused little chuckle that he failed to hide.
"Would you like to take my job?" Fury stopped in front of Percy, "do you want to run the show and call the shots?"
"No, sir," Percy kept his expression stoic.
"Then would you like me to get you a throne so you can sit were you obviously think you belong?" Fury folded his arms behind his back and stared at Percy with his singular eye.
"No, sir," Percy replied as he bit his tongue.
"Then I suggest you take a seat and learn how to take orders," Fury said shortly as he turned away and faced the screens.
Percy clenched his fist slightly before sitting down in an open seat (next to Thor). Clenching his fists under the table he kept the calm façade as Fury began to talk to the group as a whole.
"This…Jeff has been contained and we were going to send Agent Romanoff in for questioning…." Fury brought up an image of the Hulks prison which was now occupied by Jeff (who was smirking at the cameras), "…but he has requested someone different."
"Who?" Steve questioned as he looked at the feed.
"Miss Chase," Fury's gaze focused on the blonde who looked surprised.
"Why me?" She questioned as she gathered her wits.
"That, Miss Chase, still remains a mystery," Fury commented, "Agent Romanoff will accompany you."
"I don't get a choice?" Annabeth questioned in surprise.
"Well, if you say no, we might have to use other methods to make him talk."
There you go! Your update! I'm starting to work on original stories so I hope that doesn't mess up my update schedule.