Hey Guys! So, I've been focusing a little bit less on this story, because I've been neglecting another story of mine, which is not cool. On top of that, I've started writing another story, and I'm loosely writing the PJO/Arkham story, even though I said I wouldn't... Ugh, its all a mess, really. I kinda stretched myself a bit thin, didn't I? Anyways, I've got a bad migraine, a short temper, and my homework assignments sitting upstairs.

UGH!

So, in better, happier news, I attended TABC yesterday! If any of you know what that is, then good for you! To those who don't, I have a mission for you... Learn about what it is! It's every year, its an awesome learning experience, and I literally have friends from all over the country because of it. Please, if you aspire to be an author, this is the place to go! If any of you went, give me a shout out in the comments! PM me! I want to fanboy for a few minutes with someone!

Anyways, the story progresses! The PJO crew is about to get a rude awakening, and another bonus to end off this chapter! Yes, its a bit short. Sorry about that, but I promise the long awaited Percy/Annabeth reunion... Within the next two-three chapters! ARE YOU READY?!

Disclaimer: Rick, Joss, Marvel. Preach it like a sermon.


Jason:

It was strange, sleeping as the big spoon.

It was even stranger that that was his first thought as the morning light began to fill his bedroom in the Big House. Really, just a strange thought in general.

The thing is, Piper was a very spontaneous individual. She liked pumpkin spice coffee any time of the year besides when it was sold, listened to rock and classical music, believed 'Eminem Lullabies' was were the best things ever, and enjoyed it when her arms were wrapped around his waist. Really, Jason had to admit that she kept him on his toes.

Their room was pretty nice, though a bit small for the two of them. The problem was, since they had outgrown most of the other campers, they'd needed a place to stay that wasn't a cabin. The apartment in the city Mr. McLean had bought them was nice and all…

It just wasn't Camp Halfblood.

It came with responsibilities, of course. He was in charge of teaching sword fighting, and when he wasn't doing that he was making sure the gods were satisfied with their temples and offerings and and and-

Really, he should get up.

But here he was, his arms around his wife and hands resting on the bump in her stomach instead. He couldn't say that this wasn't where he wanted to be.

Still, when she began to shift in his arms slightly, he knew she would berate him for not waking her up sooner. After all, she still needed to be up earlier than usual if she wanted to work her way around their son. Twenty weeks along and they couldn't catch a break, or in some cases, sleep.

Jason could tell she was awake when she lay perfectly still. The only noise he could hear was her steady breathing mixing with his, and the satyrs playing pipes in the strawberry fields. Jason could practically taste the fresh air… for just a minute everything was perfect.

Piper jerked up from where she was in bed, tearing herself out of his grip. She ran barefoot all the way to the conjoined bathroom and Jason could hear her retching over the toilet bowl.

Jason sighed, rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he sat up. When his bare feet hit the warm, smooth wood planks beneath his feet, he counted it as a positive note towards the morning.

That didn't stop him from grabbing his slippers the Stolls had gotten him for the wedding (lighting bolts for him, pink bunnies for Piper) and slipping them on. It was a warm morning, and clad in only boxer shorts and an undershirt he made his way to his tormented wife.

Mornings like these, Jason had the privilege to hold her hair back from getting vomited on while rubbing soothing circles on her back. He used to hum as well, but Piper would always snap at how cheery he was in the morning.

When Piper paused in her dry heaving, Jason continued to patiently rub down her bare arms. She was in one of his purple t-shirts and some loose shorts, and when she rested a hand on her abdomen she sighed. "This is Hell." She murmured crankily.

Jason simply hummed in agreement, then, just so she thought he hadn't slept as soundly as he had, he yawned. When she was sure she was done he helped her back to the edge of their bed. There, he inspected her feet. They'd been swelling considerably over the past few days and his jo- privilege was to rub them until she felt better about herself.

Anything for Jason Jr.

"Ready to take on the day?" He asked cheerfully, and she gave him a weak glare. Still, Jason shuddered. She had these bags under her eyes, like a mask. It reminded him of the raccoon that had interrupted them during their Honeymoon in Oklahoma.

"Do I have a choice?" She asked. Jason simply smiled, standing up and moving towards the closet. What to wear that he wouldn't mind getting slash marks on…

"Better. Okay, I want you each to grab a different sparring partner. No- Reggie, you can't stay with Tanner. Find someone else." Jason paced circles around his pupils, checking each form, technique, style, and weakness that they might have. The sound of swords ringing against swords echoed across the arena, and with each shifted foot another cloud of dust rose into the air, disturbed from its resting state.

He was in his orange and purple t-shirt, with the laurels of the Romans and the Pegasus from the original CHB t-shirt. He wore khaki shorts and well fitted sandals, trying to make sure that everyone was fully participating.

He would jump in every once in awhile, showing off a new technique or correcting someone else's form. Really, his job could be worse. "Okay, now lean back on your back leg at first, then adjust your weight so that it's evenly balanced. Sword fighting is all about using the reach you have with the blade, and not letting your enemy get close enough to make that reach useless." He instructed everyone. His eye caught a glimpse of movement by the entrance to the arena, and he switched his gaze.

Chiron stood off to the side, his arms crossed and face blank. He had his massive longbow on his back, along with a quiver of arrows, meaning he must have just gotten out of teaching archery practice. When Chiron had his attention, he beckoned Jason over to him.

"Run drills three and four, then take a break. Garry, no wrestling, you hear me?" He said, walking between some of the fourteen to fifteen year olds he was teaching. A few of them that had been drenched in sweat immediately collapsed dramatically, breathing heavily. Jason rolled his eyes. Aphrodite kids, he thought.

When he reached the centaur, Jason rubbed his hands together in anticipation for whatever he was about to be told.

"Follow me. I'm afraid that you won't be coming back to teach today, but Connor has already agreed to take the rest of your shift." He said. Jason raised an eyebrow but said nothing. He wondered what was so important that he'd be missing the next two hours of his day.

They walked past the stables, pavilion, lake, and finally got to the Big House. Jason had to admire the view he could get from the porch. He could see some of the Hephaestus kids running laps on the chariot track. The Aphrodite kids were on the docks, gossiping with the naids and bartering for waterproof makeup. The Hermes kids were picking the lock to the camp store, the Nike kids trying to beat the Athena kids in the volleyball court.

All in all, it was paradise.

But you know what they say. Trouble in paradise…

Chiron got into his wheelchair until it was just his Camp shirt visible. He rolled into the Big House, Jason in tow. As Jason entered, Argus, the surfer dude with a hundred eyes and their head of security, nodded, locking the door behind him.

Jason's mind was suddenly buzzing with a million questions, but still Chiron gave no answers. Seymour, the disembodied leopard head, huffed in apparent annoyance. His neck hairs stood on end, and Jason felt the same.

Chiron began to work furiously at hooking up the television that sat in the corner of the room, moving an Atari and some crayon drawings their youngest camper had made, seeing as she was too young to learn to fight.

"The Romans, as you know, were attacked nearly a week ago by the same people who attacked New York." Chiron began, still plugging the DVR into the TV. They rarely used the television for cable, seeing as how that had agitated monsters in the past. Apparently, it was now worth the risk.

"Right. Is this about the guy that saved New Rome? The one that got away?" Jason guessed.

Chiron grabbed the remote. "The three heroes that came back from New York claim they didn't know who he was, but I'm sure that they're not giving us the full truth. Either way, it doesn't matter what they said. But this man-" He turned on the TV, and it was already on the news.

"- Whose name, decided as Theseus over four different Social Media platforms, has won this debate. Current sympathy towards the Avengers, and Mutants as well, has gone up by an even fifteen percent each, along with-"

Chiron paused the screen when they showed a picture of the man in question. "-is the key." He finished. Jason had to admit, the suit was kick-A.

He was in black cargo pants and combat boots from the waist down, two pistol holsters at his hips. From the waist to the neck he wore what appeared to be a muscle plate, also black with a strap that wrapped around his stomach area. Between both pectorals, a Blue Trident was engraved. His sleeves were long and had some sort of shoulder plate on his left shoulder, but not his right. He wore gloves on his hands, and as Jason squinted… The guy was missing a finger. He had gauntlets of some sort on, and Jason knew that they had to conceal some other form of weapon.

Jason wished he had a face to match to the impressive armor in front of him, but it was covered by what looked like some sort of one-way-glass helmet, tinted the slightest bit blue. Jason whistled.

"Frank told me that he escaped during a senate meeting. I thought they were exaggerating what he looked like." He admitted.

Chiron shook his head gravely. "This man was caught by the Legion after his plane crashed into the Fields of Mars. Praetor Frank already informed me that during an interrogation with him, he admitted to being a Demigod." He said.

Jason let out a sharp breath. This was new to him. "Okay, so I assume whatever problem he's in is our problem now as well?"

Chiron frowned. "Normally, no. When a Demigod ventures out into the mortal world, it's his job to stay out of trouble. This, though… This is a special case." He said. "He claimed to be family to the mortal heroes known as the Avengers."

Jason did not scream internally. He did not think of his homemade Captain America costume he'd worn last Halloween. Or the Hawkeye costume he was making for Frank. Nope. Not at all.

"That's so cool!"

Jason immediately covered his mouth, but Chiron was already frowning slightly.

"They are… An effective group, yes. Though they could have left New York in better condition than us…" Chiron shook his head, as if clearing his head. "But that's beside the point. What we need to know is this: has he compromised the gods? Do the Avengers know what he is, or even who he could be, for that matter?"

Chiron didn't wait for an answer, pulling out a plastic bag from off the coffee table: the morning newspaper. They didn't even get newspaper. The headline read: New Hero Here To Stay. "Fourth paragraph down."

Jason skimmed through the story, finally reaching the paragraph that had been pointed out. He read each word carefully, pushing his glasses up higher on his face.

-among his Arsenal of weapons: Mutant powers? Theseus demonstrated a power he claims to have had from birth known as hydrokinesis, the ability to control water with your mind. Nearly every account from the people of New York agree: the wave that saved their city was not a natural occurrence…

Jason had to read it through a few times before he felt his heart stop.

He wanted to immediately shove the thoughts he was having out of his head, but the idea festered at the back of his mind.

… It would explain a lot.

Nico, not sending his soul's passing.

His body never being recovered.

The reason the three teens were being so elusive. (And the fact they were supposed to find him didn't boost Jason's confidence)

After the sixth time of reading through the whole article, he still shook his head in disbelief. "No. No, Chiron, this isn't him." He threw the paper back onto the coffee table. "He's dead, and… And… Percy Jackson isn't living anymore. The gods…" Put him down, he thought sadly.

Chiron lowered his head, and Jason felt like he was back in the amphitheater, hugging a crying Piper to his chest. People were sobbing, and even Clarisse she'd a tear or two. Grover had laid the torch onto the blue and green shroud…

"Chiron, please tell me this isn't the case." Jason begged.

Chiron was quiet for a long time before looking up. His eyes held an ancient look, as if he was remembering something terrible from a long, long time ago. "Their quest was to find Percy Jackson and bring him back to fight against a new threat. They succeeded in their quest." He said.

Jason shook his head, sitting down in the sofa. He just… He couldn't wrap his head around it. "From the Underworld. From Hades. We… We all knew it wasn't possible." He said.

Chiron shook his head. "According to the article, he's been with the Avengers for years now, and considers them family. It was never confirmed if he was dead or not." He whispered. Jason shook his head, suddenly feeling very claustrophobic in the confined space of the Big House main room.

"What're the odds he really is a mutant? Or maybe he's just… Knows what a Demigod is?" Jason guessed, hoping for a good answer.

Chiron didn't seem optimistic. "I see no reason why that couldn't be a possibility, but until then we must proceed as if Percy has returned from the dead. I want a guard posted on the hill every night from now until the threat passes. Coordinate with Clarisse, but don't let anyone know what's going on. I don't want a panic started because of this."

Now feels like a good time to panic, Jason thought, tugging on his shirt sleeves. "And if it is Percy? If he really did come back?" Jason asked, not sure what he meant by the question. Jason supposed it was all about which Percy Jackson came back.

Chiron's eyes softened. "If Percy comes back, I do not believe he will harm any of us intentionally. But be wary: Percy betrayed the gods for a reason. We were never told to what extent that reason was. Should he come back, we need to assume that he will be hostile." Chiron said, seeming to age as he spoke. Jason could suddenly imagine the guy without immortality, older than some of the gods.

Jason swallowed the lump in his throat, nodding. "I'll go talk with Clarisse and get the campers together. We'll explain that we're worried about Hydra, or whatever organization could be coming after us." He said.

Chiron nodded, rolling his way towards the door. He held it open for Jason as he walked out. "Jason? Know that Percy wasn't the same when he came out of Tartarus. We can't rely on the fact that the Percy we knew could still be there. If he attempts to contact you, or Piper, or anyone else associated with his past- let me know." Chiron said.

Jason nodded again, stepping out of the cold cabin and back into the warmth of the outside world. The birds were chirping, the campers working, and there were even a few wild pegasi flying out over Long Island Sound.

Trouble in paradise…

Annabeth:

She really did debate about going into camp.

She stood on the hill with Peleus, gently rubbing behind the dragon's scaly ears as she stayed by Thalia's tree.

The population in the camp had grown exponentially, nearly tripling over the last three years. No one understood why that was, really, but no one complained, either. The problem was: the cabins were filling up. Hermes cabin from nearly ten years ago, when no one was claimed, wasn't even comparable to this sudden influx of campers.

Annabeth had helped redesign new, larger cabins, including a new place for Roman visitors to stay as well. She was even creating the first few buildings for her greatest project yet. One even bigger than Olympus, in her opinion.

New Athens. A home for Greek Demigods going into retirement. They'd already commissioned to buy the next valley over from the farmer that owned it, and the date was set. Annabeth had felt so proud.

But still, she never went back to Camp Halfblood.

He was always there. In the walls, in the beaches, in the cabins, in the forest… She had lasted three months before breaking and attending early admission at the University of New Rome. She even graduated high school early, insistent on leaving her old life behind.

But here she stood, twenty four and almost graduated from college with her masters.

She watched from a distance, seeing the valley below her, the grass swaying in the sea breeze. She could smell the strawberries, the sweet aroma lifting away from the fields. Her mind was overcome with childhood nostalgia, and when her eyes began to water she quickly wiped the tears away.

Mark was probably down there, too. Teaching archery, or helping Will Solace in the infirmary. Her hand went to her ring finger instinctively, reaching for a band of silver that wasn't there anymore. She didn't get a single butterfly fluttering in her stomach, but a rock that rested at the bottom of her throat.

Peleus didn't argue when she put his head back on the grass instead of her lap. He barely even lifted his head, his warm breath blowing onto her feet. His eyes were half lidded, and he fell asleep immediately.

She stood back up, casting one more glance at her childhood home.

She began to make her way back to the road.


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