Chapter 4

It was all over the news by morning. Two teenage monster slayers were all over the headlines, and their picture had been taken. Thankfully the parking lot surveillance video only caught shadows of the hellhound, and while many speculated, the world was not convinced yet of what was really out there. That hardly mattered to Percy though as he realized it would be only a matter of time before the world would know he had returned to the land of aging.

Sally was pacing in front of the TV with worry clearly etched into her face, "It's only a matter of time before they trace you back here. Someone will recognize Percy, or they will be running facial recognition. It's so hard to stay hidden these days, and then we just get attacked by a hellhound outside of dinner where the world can see it. We might as well have fired a flare gun into the air saying ``here I am!"

It was clear the woman was becoming frantic as Percy and Calypso watched the news with straight faces. Parking lot camera footage showed him draw his sword, and Calypso snap her fingers at the crowd using the Mist Manipulation, and on camera the whole thing looked very bizarre as they speculated over who they were, and what exactly had happened. If their goal had been to protect the mist they were failing in a record breaking short time.

As the footage continued to play, a knock came at the front door and Sally froze. Paul however stood calmly from the couch, and walked over to investigate the intrusion. It was clear to Percy that his mother and step father did not get many visitors as her reaction was quite severe. A quiet conversation took place between Paul and whoever was at the door so Percy and Calypso slowly stood thinking a fight was approaching. When Paul returned a lone man was with him. He stood at about six foot tall in a black leather trench coat, and all black tactical clothing underneath. He had a bald head and a black eye patch over his left eye. When he entered the room Percy knew they were encountering a potentially dangerous mortal. The man gave an amused look to the pair, "Welcome back to the land of the aging, Mr. Jackson."

"Percy is fine. Who are you?" The young man said evenly.

"Alright Mr. Jackson. My name is Nick Fury. I am the Director of SHIELD." The man said ignoring his invitation at first names, "Our mutual friend told me to give you a day to settle, but it seems that may have been a mistake." Fury turned his eye on Calypso, "I heard Mr. Jackson had a partner, but I didn't get a name."

She stayed shoulder to shoulder with the son of the sea trying to look every bit his equal in the conversation, "Calypso Atlas. My friends call me Caly. You can call me Ms. Atlas."

If the man was surprised by her identity he didn't show it, "So you two are the Greeks? I am afraid my intelligence is rather limited. I hear you blew up a National Monument when you were twelve." His eye flicked back to Calypso, "And you knew Odysseus."

Calypso rolled her eyes looking at Percy, "Why do you get the cooler introduction than me?"

Percy never took his eyes off Fury, but a slight grin tugged at the corners of his mouth, "I'm sorry dear, I didn't get to send in your credentials before we got picked up."

Fury spoke easily, "We would be happy to take a resume if either of you have one. All I have right now is half-bloods. If what I am told is true that makes you half mortal, and half Olympian."

Percy and Calypso did not allow their surprise to show that this mortal knew about their kind, but Percy shrugged, "Only half true. My dad is an Olympian, but she is a full-blooded immortal. Her father was the Titan Atlas, and her mother an Immortal Sea Nymph. Normally this would mean immortality, but her case comes with a few... caveats."

Fury raised his eyebrow at this, "Like what?"

Calypso shrugged her shoulders, putting an arm on top of Percy's shoulder leaning on him nonchalantly, "Well you see thousands of years ago my father fought in a war against the gods, and the Olympians took my immortality away in the mortal world. They placed me on my own island however, and if I never left then I would live forever, but as of yesterday I am about as powerful as a normal half-blood. Enhanced strength, endurance, and speed with a few extra things I have picked up over the years."

Percy snorted that her answer was a half truth if he ever heard one. Her strength was still immense as a daughter of Atlas, and as a daughter of a sea nymph she had minor control over the seas. Not to mention she learned high levels of magic as a sorceress in her time that gave her a decent control over the elements. Calypso was undoubtedly more powerful than the son of Poseidon before he bathed in the River Styx, but now it could be a toss up.

Fury, for his part, blinked a few times, seeming to be genuinely surprised by her words. Percy, however, broke his concentration, "My father said you would give us intelligence on the threat, and maybe even help us fight the invasion?"

"We still don't know if that's what Loki's endgame is." Fury said honestly.

Percy shook his head, "Then you are already behind on intelligence. We know that Loki is trying to lead an army from outer space to attack and invade the Earth."

"Where did you get this intelligence?" Fury said, his eye twitching.

Percy simply pointed up, and Fury grumbled, "I am working on assembling a team. If you come with me I will introduce you."

The duo nodded, and Percy turned to his mom who had a worried look on her face. He gave her a big hug and a small smile, "I won't wait three years to come back this time Mom. Just be careful, it seems like the world is about to get a lot more dangerous."

She sighed deeply, "You better not wait three days. I just got you back. Please keep me updated."

The woman seemed to age before his eyes, but as she saw his smile she relaxed a little. Paul and Percy shook hands while Calypso and Sally embraced. In a matter of moments Percy and Calypso were in the back of a Suburban with Nick Fury. Percy asked right out of the gate, "So, how exactly is it you know about us?"

The man crossed his arms, "Clear sighted mortals, and an occasional demigod have crossed through the SHIELD ranks over the years. Our biggest lead in the last fifty years was when a sandy haired man popped up into my conference room a few days ago with a message from a Lord Zeus. Now we happen to be one of the most secure facilities in the world, and two security breaches in a few days said I was playing above my usual considerable pay grade. The message basically said that two of his people would be coming along to help deal with the Loki problem. This sandy haired man called himself Hermes, and explained that they were aware that we were aware of their presence, and planned to provide aid to prevent the end of the civilized world. At that point I figured it wasn't smart to argue with a god, and your people were a lot more open than the Asgardians were."

Calypso snorted, "Believe me that is not the normal. Things are very bad if our gods are involving their own people."

Fury leaned back, "What can you tell me?"

Calypso went on to explain the mist, and why some of his clear-sighted mortals and demigods could see things while others couldn't. She explained that the mist seemed to be fracturing after all the strange events in the world and now that mortals were becoming more open-minded to the supernatural. She also went on to explain what would happen if it completely failed.

By the end of the conversation Fury looked disturbed, "Seems like we are fighting a multifront battle."

Percy nodded in agreement, "Our best bet is to stop Loki. If we can do that then perhaps we can prevent the invasion, and keep the mist in full effect. If we fail then we are going to have to come up with some convincing lies to make the world believe that monsters aren't real."

"So who's your father?" Fury asked, looking at Percy.

The young man looked out the window thinking how little had really changed in his absence of the civilized world, "Poseidon. God of the seas, stormbringer, and earthshaker. I can use hydrokinesis, and make the ground tremble. Though I try not to use that much. In the water I am stronger, and faster than mortals could possibly be, but I have good training so even outside of it I am decent in a fight."

"That's some serious power. Are there a lot like you?" Fury asked.

Calypso shook her head, "The Eldest Olympians' children are always the most powerful. There are usually only a few every generation from The Big Three. In times of great strife and war, Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades, will each have children that will usually try to kill each other. In recent times they have come together to fight common enemies, but their children are immensely powerful."

Percy nodded, "My father hadn't brought any children forth in nearly a hundred years until I was born. Same with Zeus and Hades. They both have children a little older than me now, but that's it. There are maybe four of us alive today, and twenty five years ago none.

Fury turned his gaze to Calypso, "I know your story, but only in the legends, and no thanks but it's not exactly centered on you."

Calypso said nothing for long moments before Percy said, "Her parentage is kind of touchy in my world." He looked at her for permission, and she nodded her head, "Her father is the Titan Atlas. He was among the strongest Titans to fight in the war against the gods. Caly was a peaceful Titanness, and didn't actually fight, but she helped recruit. She also provided medical aid in battle, so when my family won the war they imprisoned Calypso on an island and cursed her to be forever alone. Her mother was a sea nymph though so she has some control over the sea like me, but less powerful. She is also incredibly strong, and can basically fight forever with her father being the Titan of Endurance."

Fury sighed, "Things were so much simpler when it was just robots, and aliens."

The car came to a slowdown, and Fury gestured for them to exit the vehicle, and when they did the largest boat Percy had ever seen was before them. It was easily over a thousand feet long, and well over five hundred feet from wingtip to wingtip. Fury walked them towards the boat holding his hands out, "Welcome to the Helicarrier. Lets get on-board, the rest of the team is on its way. We should be among the first to arrive."

Calypso stared in absolute wonder at the vessel, "Percy, you never said ships were this big in the twenty-first century?"

Percy put an arm around her taking a deep breath of the ocean air, "I didn't know they were. Come on, let's go enjoy my father's territory."

With both duffel bags that Sally had packed them thrown over one shoulder and his arm around Calypso they made their way towards the massive ship. People stopped and saluted Fury as he walked by, but all he did was nod in return.

The technology Percy was seeing was years ahead of what he expected. Though he had to admit when he imagined returning to the civilized world this was more along the lines of what he expected. He had always been a little out of the loop, seeing as he couldn't really play with modern gadgets without attracting monsters, but this was something beyond even what the movies showed him. Floating holographic screens were everywhere, and consoles of computer stations seemed to be at every turn. Calypso's eyes were darting around everywhere trying to take it all in with her jaw all but unhinged. When they made it to the front of the ship a woman called out, "Director on deck."

All the staff quickly stood from their computers and placed their hands behind their back in perfect military precision. Fury nodded looking out the glass panel in front of him, "Agent Hill, let's get this thing running."

Fury then turned to Calypso and Percy, "You two are welcome to walk around the ship and get your bearings. Agent Carter will show you to your rooms. When the rest of the team arrives we will have a meeting here on the bridge."

A blonde agent stepped from the side and nodded her head towards the two and began walking away. Calypso took Percy by the hand and followed after her. The woman was silent, and in a dark blue uniform that everyone else seemed to be wearing. When they made it to the living quarters she hit the button so a door on each side of the hall would open. She finally spoke, "Sir, your room is on the left. Ma'am, your room is on-"

"The left as well. Thank you Agent Carter." Calypso said with a smile, taking the bags from Percy, and tossing them into the room. Before they could depart Calypso noticed a package on the bed. She turned back to the agent, "Are we expecting any packages?"

The woman frowned, and peeked into the room, "I was not told of anything ma'am. I will report it to Director Fury."

Percy however shook his head as he stepped forward, "Don't bother. This is a gift from my father. I sense the sea."

Calypso closed her eyes and seemed to stretch her own senses before nodding, "He's right. A gift from Lord Poseidon. We will need a few moments. Thank you Agent Carter."

The woman seemed surprised by Calypso's words, but said nothing as the door closed behind them. Percy wondered if it was their age that caused the surprise, or the fact that they mentioned a supposedly mythological man. They were clearly together after all, and Percy wondered if the agent was wondering about them sharing a room. He was certain it would be questioned at some point, but they hadn't spent five years sharing a bed to change that now.

Percy looked at the package and smiled at the girl, "Why don't you see what my father sent us?"

Calypso, seemingly insatiable in her curiosity dove into the package, and gasped when she lifted the top off. Bronze female battle armor with two short swords were carved into a molded box. A note was inside, and it simply read, "I hope the measurements are right."

The girl touched the armor with clear surprise written on her face, while Percy hugged her from behind, "Seems like my father wanted to make sure you were well equipped. Do you see the quality of this metal? This is Atlantean work, I am almost sure of it."

Calypso only nodded, seeming to be unable to find the words, "We will have to make quite the sacrifice to your father. This was infinitely kind of him...Should I try it on?"

"Later. Let's go see the open water. We should be far enough from the shorelines to avoid being seen by normal mortals." Percy answered with excitement in his voice.

With that the girl giggled, understanding his intention, and took off dragging her boyfriend through the halls so they could go into the open air.

It was easy to get to the top of the ship where the planes were all stationed, and Calypso ran to the edge easily dragging Percy with her, "It feels so nice to be in open water. Do you think we could dive in?"

Neither had been in the ocean in a long time, and Percy couldn't resist her smile, "You first my lady. I had every intention too."

She smiled at him and dove right over the top of the ship. Percy heard the yells of panic from behind him, and turned to see some startled agents searching for lifebuoy, "Gentlemen, it's okay. I've got this one."

With that, he dove over as well, and summoned the water to cushion his fall. The feeling of being in the open ocean again was indescribable. The waters of Ogygia may have been a part of his fathers domain, but the magic seemed to interfere with his powers, and of course the life in those waters wasn't the same. He quickly summoned a small wave to carry him to the top, and allow him to get back above the surface. He found Calypso attempting to do the same, and when he made it to her his control over the water overpowered her own, and the two were just standing on a wave Percy controlled.

Calypso opened her arms wide, and Percy laughed as she embraced the wind on her face. He took her around the ship one time, before returning the two back to the deck where a group of people had gathered watching the two.

It had been so long since Percy had been looked at by large groups of people he had forgotten that he and Calypso were not the only two in the world anymore. He was slightly abashed, but Calypso took a deep breath grinning madly, "We will be doing that again soon."

Before people could question a small plane landed on one of the nearby landing pads, and a red headed woman came forward to them, "Jackson, Atlas, seems like more of the team is arriving. Right this way."

The woman was in black leather jacket, and red tank top with tactical pants that had a pistol on a leg holster. Most men might've been tongue-tied by a woman with her beauty, but Percy was used to looking at Calypso all the time, so merely nodded and followed along, taking Calypso by the hand. Out of the plane came two men. One in a dark suit, and the other in a brown jacket and flannel shirt. Percy immediately knew who this man was.

The agent who had escorted them over was called Romanoff by the man in the suit, and while they spoke Percy came forward, "Captain Rogers. My name is Percy Jackson, and this Calypso Atlas. We are here to join the response team."

The blonde haired man looked surprised, "Really? I didn't get a file on you two."

Calypso offered her hand when Percy was finished, "We are last minute additions. It's complicated."

Steve offered them both light smiles, "Seems like everything is these days." Then his eyes went over to another man who was standing nearby looking a little lost, "Doctor Banner."

The man with curly black hair looked startled that someone knew his name, but recognition crossed his face when he looked at Steve, "They told me you were coming."

"Word is you can find the cube?" Steve asked.

Calypso bumped Percy gently whispering, "That's the Hulk Percy. The one your mom showed us that broke a part of New York."

Recognition now hit Percy as he went forward to introduce himself to the man, but said nothing about his knowledge of The Hulk.

Agent Romanoff announced from behind, "Ladies and Gentlemen, you may want to step inside, it's about to get hard to breathe out here."

Percy frowned as he heard the engines kick up. He heard Banner ask about it being a Submarine, and he calmed for only a moment. When the ship began to power up he realized they weren't going down, they were going up. Calypso's arm clamped down on Percy's before he could even think about jumping, "Percy relax. If they wanted you dead they've had years to do it. There is too much at stake for them to strike you down now."

Clouds began to roll in above and Percy mumbled, "You sure about that."

Steve turned to the two in concern, "Is everything okay?"

Percy was clearly still contemplating his chance if jumped into the water, but shook it off looking to the skies, "I hope so. Hate to come all this way just to eat lightning."

His words seemed to confuse everyone, but Calypso took his hand and led him forward towards the entrance to the bridge as thunder rumbled above causing Percy to flinch. He heard a tech from nearby as they passed, "This storm came from nowhere. It defies every weather pattern we've seen in a week."

This caused the young demigod to shake his head, and merely follow Calypso towards where the team was supposed to meet.

Hand shakes followed, and the whole plane went invisible as they went higher into the air. Percy briefly held false hope that his Uncle couldn't sense them now, but he knew it was futile. He briefly overheard discussions about tracking some kind of cube, which apparently was how Loki would create the portal from outer space as he attempted to distract himself.

Steve came and sat down at the table with them before long and he gave them a nod of acknowledgement clearly searching for a conversation topic, "You two look a little young for this. SHIELD brought you two in?"

Percy shook his head, "My family sent us. I have to say we are older than we look though. I should be about 22 years old, but my birth certificate says I am 19. Caly here however is so old birth certificates weren't even around back then."

The girl smacked him on the arm, shaking her head with a soft smile, "Percy is always making jokes about my age."

"If you don't mind me asking…" Steve looked uncomfortable asking the question directly. It was clear in his time asking a woman her age was even more offensive than even the modern era portrayed it to be.

She however just offered him a small smile, "I'm not exactly sure. Probably somewhere between 2 and 3 thousand years old though. My family came long before the Grecian wars, but like I said the calendar wasn't really a thing back then. I think I was born sometime around the Summer Solstice though. My older sister often said it was one of the longest days of the year, and Percy said that is usually around June by modern counts."

Steve frowned as if he was trying to make sense of what she said, "That's impossible. How could-"

"You have heard of our enemy right?" Percy asked, cutting the man off.

"This Loki of Asgard?" Steve asked curiously.

Percy nodded, "Yes. He is likely to be near a thousand years old as well. His pantheon was established long after our own, but Calypso was a part of a family that gave this world its first intelligent life. I am afraid it's all very historical, and convoluted, but I can assure you she is being honest. Her age is immeasurable!"

Percy said this last part with a massive grin, and Calypso glared at the boy, but it dissolved easily when he winked at her. Steve caught the byplay and asked, "So how long have you two been?"

The man made a gesture between the two of them trying to express his point, and Calypso put a hand over Percy's, "Percy came to my island only four mortal years ago. He had to go away for a while to fight in a war between our families, but he came back to me after. He gave up his whole life to come back and be with me. On my island we spent nearly seven years together. It was a good life there, but we longed to see the outside world together."

Percy offered the man a slight grin, "In a way Loki is a blessing. Without him we may have remained on the island forever, and while that isn't a terrible way to live...our future is hopefully out here. WIth good service Calypso's exile can be over, and we can maybe start a new life here."

The two shared a hopeful look while Steve was silent taking it all in. Finally he asked, "You said Percy had to go away to fight a war. What did you mean by that?"

Before they could answer, beeping came from nearby, and the agent Steve arrived with shouted, "Sir we've got it. Stuttgart Germany."

Fury turned to the three sitting at the table, "Mr. Jackson, Ms. Atlas, Captain, you're up."

Percy nodded standing to his feet, "We will get back to this conversation later Captain. It seems we have a job to do."

The man rose with him offering a nod as the three went their separate ways to prepare for the upcoming battle.

(A/N) Here is the update one day early as promised! Tomorrow starts my vacation, so I wanted to get this out to you guys before I became unable to do so. Normal update schedule backup in two weeks. So Monday October 11th you should see a new update. I just completed Chapter 10 of this story, and closed down the Avengers Part 1 storyline, and I really like where it's heading, and I can't wait to share it all with you. Stay tuned, and can't wait to continue to hear everyone's feedback.