Disclaimer: I don't own anything canon.
Annabeth
I wanted to scream. For the hundredth time in my life, my friends and I were in mortal peril. Now, just what need, a bunch of mortals have decided to play hero for a bunch of 'kids'. I stopped being a kid the day I ran away.
It wasn't like I didn't like mortals. I had my dad, my brothers, even my stepmom. Plus, Rachel was pretty cool. It's just the mortals who think just because I'm 18 and female, I can't take care of myself. The Avengers were even worse. They thought we couldn't take care of ourselves and that they were better than us. Bold thinking, as they were currently in the training camp for some of the best heroes around.
Suffice to say, they were pig headed and newbies. A very bad combination. I didn't care what Leo said. I didn't trust them. That was the decision of wisdom.
Now, not only were we teaming up with said newbies, Will was practically telling everyone at the meeting there was zero hope for victory.
"So that's it?" Percy asked. By the strain of his voice, he was struggling to control his emotions. "No hope, whatsoever."
"No!" Will quickly corrected himself. "No! I meant there isn't a cure I could come up with. It's just too advanced. It's like the time Thalia's tree was poisoned and we couldn't heal it. We need something godly."
"Or someone." I put in, understanding where he was going.
"So you're going to get down on your knees, yell at the sky, and burn cow, hoping the gods will save you." Tony said, snorting.
"No, I don't think that will work this time." Jason put in helpfully. The Avengers looked at him in disbelief.
"Maybe the yelling won't. We know how the gods are. If we want their help, we'll need to impress them somehow."
"And, lucky for us, the god we need is impressed easily. We just need to whip up a good haiku."
Percy grinned. "Oh, you mean him. Are you sure a bad haiku won't work better."
"Who are you guys talking about." Bruce finally cut in, sounding agitated.
"My father. Apollo." Will said.
"You're forgetting something, punks. Apollo was banned from Olympus." Clarisse said. "Last we heard, he's still in Delphi trying and failing to slay Python."
"That's right. He isn't allowed back at Olympus until Python is dead." Katie confirmed.
"A quest then." I demanded. "If we help Lord Apollo slay Python, he will be in our debt. He'll have to fulfill our request to heal the fallen. Then he can return to Olympus in peace. It's our best option."
"Well, yeah." Travis relented. "But Delphi is in Greece. You guys are the best options, and I doubt any of you want to go back there-"
"I'll go."
The entire table turned to Leo. He grinned. "What? YOLT right?"
"YOLT?" Clint asked.
"You only live twice." Leo explained.
"Twice?" Tony asked, incredulous.
"Later." Piper said, sending Leo a glare. "I'll go along to babysit him."
"I'll go too." Grover said. "You need a protector."
"No way is Leo going anywhere without me." Tony called.
"And no way is Tony going anywhere without at least one of us." Natasha said firmly.
I turned to Chiron. I could already see him hesitating. Three man squads were safest. I spoke directly to him. "It should be fine. A five man squad would probably be best. Besides, Piper and Leo would be the only two demigods going. And you know how tricky they are. They'd do well against a sneak like Python."
Chiron thought it over before nodding. "Fine. A quest. To Delphi, to aid Lord Apollo in the slaying of Python. Leo, son of Hephaestus and Piper, daughter of Aphrodite will lead the quest, with Grover Underwood serving as protector and... Um, who else is going and what is your purpose?"
The Avengers looked at each other, seemingly having a silent conversation before Clint nodded. Tony grinned. "Iron Man as party goer and Hawkeye as party pooper." Steve sighed and sent me an apologetic look.
"Um. Right. In any case, you'll leave tomorrow at sunrise. Seeing as the oracle is currently away, there won't be any prophecy."
"Hallelujah." Percy muttered.
"I'd also like to request another quest. To San Francisco. I wanted to check out the sky. See who's holding it up. I already know the people I want."
Chiron nodded. "Very well my dear. Who would they be?"
"Frank and Natasha."
Natasha narrowed her eyes. Clint seemed a bit uneasy as well. Those two were close. Definitely not lovers, but close.
"I'm there. It'd be a good opportunity to check on New Rome anyway." Frank agreed.
"Why do you want me there?" Natasha asked.
I raised my eyebrows. "Everyone's seen you fight before. I know how good you are at martial arts. That teamed up with Frank's strength and my intellect would be very useful, especially if we find Atlas."
Natasha thought it over, before nodding her consent.
"Fine. Both quest groups will leave tomorrow then. I suggest you meet together to discuss strategy. I will call Reyna and tell her of your coming, Annabeth. The rest of you will remain here, ready to head out if needed, or preparing camp for attack. Any questions? Meeting adjourned."
Chiron galloped away, obviously thinking hard, Bruce quickly chased after him, Thor following. Taking Chiron's advice, Leo, Piper, Grover, Tony, and Clint formed a circle on one side of the table. I waved Natasha and Frank over to the other side. The others went to do their respective duties, with only Jason, Percy, and Steve staying, forming their own group.
"Well then? You're team leader." Natasha said, clearly disapproving. "What's the plan."
I shot her a look. "The main issue is getting past Ladon, the guardian dragon. Other than that, nothing should bother us, except maybe a few guards."
"Shouldn't be a problem, especially with Rome backing us up."
"So you basically have absolutely no clue exactly what we're up against?" Natasha interrupted.
I turned to her. "This isn't some random mission where you go in and come out. We can have a plan, but we can't, because we're demigods. I'm team leader. If you have a problem with it, leave. I'll find someone else for my team."
