Chapter Thirteen: The Twins Are on Our Side?

Percy P.O.V.

Percy admitted that there were benefits to telling the Avengers that they were demigods.

Every time Percy or Annabeth walked near them, the team gave them apprehensive looks. Finally, some respect! No more treating them like they were kids. Not after the story they just told. Unfortunately, Fury wanted some answers too.

Barely minutes after Percy walked back into the room, Fury was giving all the Avengers death-eye stares and they looked like they were close to spilling. Percy rolled his eyes and strolled into the room. "Hey guys! Mr. Eye Patch, you said you had a lead on our favorite evil robot?"

Percy gave all the Avengers a look that said, are you so dumb that you forgot everything I said about an unbreakable oath? They seemed to get the message, and looked guilty. Fury glared at Percy, but turned away from the Avengers.

Annabeth walked into the room as well. She looked at him questionably, wondering how much he told them. Percy gave the slightest nod, and she looked satisfied. Now that Percy thought about it, it was kind of creepy how easily they could communicate without speaking these days.

Fury leaned on the counter. "Ultron took you folks out of play to buy himself time. All my contacts say he's building something. The amount of Vibranium he made off with, I don't think it's just one thing."

Steve nodded. "What about Ultron himself?"

"Ah. He's easy to track, he's everywhere. Guy's multiplying faster than a Catholic rabbit. Still doesn't help us to figure out what his plans are, though." Percy had to admire the way the Avengers were handling the news about the Greek gods. They were acting as if nothing had happened, and were swiftly focusing on the problem at hand: Ultron.

"Is he still going after the launch codes?" Tony asked.

"Yes, he is, but he's not making any headway." Tony looked disbelieving. "I cracked the Pentagon's firewall in high school for a dare."

Annabeth frowned. "That I can believe." Fury ignored her. "Yeah, well, I contacted our friends at the NEXUS about that."

"NEXUS?" Steve and Percy wondered together. Percy grinned. Neither of them knew anything about technology.

"It's the world internet hub in Oslo." Bruce informed them. "Every bite of data flows through there. Fastest access point on earth."

"So what'd they say?" Clint asked. "He's fixated on the missiles, but the codes are being constantly changed." Fury replied.

"By whom?" Tony asked. "Party unknown." Fury said.

"We have an ally?" Natasha asked. "Ultron has an enemy. That's not the same thing. Still, I'd pay folding money to know who it is."

Annabeth looked thoughtful. "Well, if it's an ally, that narrows it down quite a bit. The Avengers aren't exactly popular at the moment, are they?"

Tony shook his head. "Not at the moment, no. I'm going to go to Oslo and find out who the 'unknown' is." Natasha glanced at Fury. "Well, this is good times, boss, but when I saw you I was kind of hoping you'd have more than that."

Fury looked at them all. "I do. I have you. Back in the day, I had eyes everywhere, ears everywhere else. Now here we are, we nothing but our wits and our wills to save the world. So stand. Outwit the platinum *censored*."

Nick Fury had his faults, but he was good at giving pep talks, Percy had to admit.

Natasha smiled mischievously. "Steve doesn't like that kind of talk." Steve looked at her. "You know what, Romanoff?" Percy grinned.

Fury ignored them. "So what does he want?"

"To become better. Better than us. He keeps building bodies." Steve replied. Tony nodded. "Person bodies. The human form is inefficient, biologically speaking, we're outmoded. But he keeps coming back to it."

Natasha raised her eyebrows. "When you three programmed him to protect the human race, you amazingly failed."

Annabeth shrugged. "Yeah, well it's all fun and games until the robot becomes self-aware."

Annabeth was taking it really well, Percy thought, but he could tell she felt guilty. It was her fault that Ultron was created in the first place.

Bruce looked like he was following his own train of thought. "Humans don't need to be protected, they need to evolve. Ultron's going to evolve." Fury focused on him. "How?"

Bruce stood up. "Has anyone been in contact with Helen Cho?"

(Tony)

"I'll take Natasha, Clint, and Percy." Steve informed Tony. He nodded. "Alright, strictly recon. I'll hit the Nexus, join you as soon as I can."

Steve went back to the subject they were all thinking about. "If Ultron is really building a body…"

"He'll be more powerful than any of us. Maybe all of us. An android built by a robot." Steve shook his head.

"You know, I really miss the days when the weirdest thing science ever created was me." He looked around and lowered his voice. "Turns out, the world is even weirder than I originally thought. What are your ideas about this?"

Tony didn't need to ask what Steve was talking about. "That they're demigods? Once I got over the official shock, it wasn't too surprising. Why wouldn't there be multiple gods?" Steve sighed. "I suppose. It's just… they're so young. And with all the things they've been through…. I get the feeling that if they'd told us about all of their adventures we'd be here all day."

Tony nodded. "I know. We can't focus on that now. We've got to get this done, and then we can worry about Greek gods." Steve cracked a smile, and it almost felt like he and Tony had never disagreed.

Nick Fury walked by and they both jumped. "I'll drop Banner and Annabeth back at the tower. Do you mind if I borrow Ms. Hill?" Tony shrugged. "She's all yours, apparently. What are you gonna do?"

Nick Fury walked off. "Something dramatic, I hope. We're gonna need back-up." He said almost to himself.

Percy strolled back to them. "Did I hear something about Annabeth staying at the tower? She's not gonna like that. Her personality is not the sit-around-and-wait type." Steve rushed to reassure him. "She and Banner are gonna do some research, try and find out where Ultron is going next. We're not taking the whole team to Korea because it's a recon mission."

Percy put up his hands innocently. "Don't look at me, man, I don't care. Explain to Annabeth when she finds out." Annabeth walked over to Percy. "Explain what?"

Tony walked off with Percy, chuckling, as Steve did his best to explain what was happening.

(Percy)

And now they were going to Korea. Why couldn't the bad guys be nice and just stay in America? Although, Percy had to admit that New York deserved a break. First the Battle of Manhattan and then aliens attacked. Couldn't a city catch a break?

Before they left, Percy and Annabeth shared a kiss just because Percy felt like it. "Be careful, Percy." Annabeth murmured. "I always am," He replied.

Annabeth smiled. "I was talking to Fury, and he was talking about back-up."

Percy shrugged. "Yeah. So?" Annabeth rolled her eyes. "He's gonna grab the rest of the seven, Seaweed Brain."

He sighed. "I'd hate bringing them into this."

Annabeth punched him playfully. "And they'd hate not being involved in this. Honestly, Percy, I think we need the help. And we can use our powers freely now, at least in front of the Avengers." A grin started spreading up his face. "What?" Annabeth asked.

"Oh, I can't wait for Tony to see what Nico can do." Percy said happily. Annabeth grinned as well. "And I'm glad I don't have to see Will's expression when he finds out he can't come."

. . .

Steve and Percy landed on the roof of U-Gin Genetic Research Lab. Clint and Natasha were flying above in the quinjet, waiting for orders.

They rushed into the lab were they found Helen Cho with a gash on her chest and struggling to take breaths. "Dr. Cho!" Steve exclaimed and ran to her side. Percy cursed himself for not bringing first aid supplies. "He's… uploading himself into a body." Dr. Cho choked out. "Where?" Steve asked her urgently.

'"The real power is inside the Cradle. The gem, its power is uncontainable. You can't… just blow it up. You have to get the Cradle to Stark."

Steve nodded grimly. "First we have to find it." Percy was focusing on the other part. The gem… where had he heard of a powerful gem before?

Percy couldn't collect his thoughts yet. He had a job to do. "Go." Dr. Cho said. They turned to leave, but Percy's heart was aching. They couldn't leave her to die. That wasn't right. She hadn't done anything to be involved in this. Steve seemed to sense Percy's agitation. "There's nothing we can do for her." He said. He tried to sound strong, but Percy could tell he was also suffering with indecision.

With one last look behind him, Percy charged out of the building.

"Did you guys copy that?" Steve said into his earbud. "We did." Clint confirmed. Natasha's voice crackled in their ears. "I got a private jet taking off across town. No manifest. That could be him."

"There. It's the truck from the lab. Right above you, Cap." Clint said. Percy saw a normal-looking truck driving on the highway. "On the loop by the bridge. It's them. I got three with the Cradle, one with the cab. I could take out the driver."

"Negative." Steve said, and they both jumped on the truck. "If that truck crashes, it could level the city. We need to draw out Ultron. Percy, you got your mask?"

Percy grinned. "Yup. Wanna see something cool?"

Percy concentrated. Hazel had said that you could hide the suit with the Mist. Hopefully that was true. He'd put on the suit, and when he concentrated, it turned into normal clothes. He let the disguise slide away, and suddenly he was Tsunami complete with the suit and sword.

Steve blinked. "Nice." They were distracted by Ultron blasting open the car door when they tried to get in. "Well, he's definitely unhappy!" Percy commented. "Let's try to keep him that way." Steve said. Percy drew his sword. "Yes, let's. Mr. Robot needs his podex kicked."

Cue the high-speed car chase. Percy supposed that you had to have at least one of those if you were an Avenger. Steve and Percy darted around Ultron, working like they'd fought together for years. Unfortunately, Ultron was a match for them.

"You're not a match for him." Clint commented. "Thanks, Barton." Steve said through gritted teeth. "Do you know what's in that Cradle?" Ultron asked. "The power to make a real change, and that terrifies you."

"Sure does." Percy said. "Especially since in your book, 'real change' is world annihilation." They continued to fight with Ultron. "Stop it!" He blasted Steve off the truck. "Oh, nuh-uh." Percy said. "Nobody messes with my Captain."

Percy concentrated for water sources. Not many, and there were civilians present. Oh well, this was as good a time as any to let the world recognize him. However, there was a water plant near this area.

Percy drew on that water and threw it at Ultron. "Gah!" He said, spluttering. Then he studied Percy. "What are you?" Percy didn't bother to answer that, and continued to spar with Ultron. Percy spared a glance behind him and saw Natasha jump out of the quinjet on a bike, then lean over and grab Steve's shield. "I'm always picking up after you boys."

"Steve, we've got to get Ultron out of civilian areas!" Percy said. Steve responded by forcing Ultron into a train. "Or that." Percy grumbled, jumping into the train as well. "That works too." Now Percy had Ultron and his robot slaves to deal with.

"I'm going in." Natasha said. "Cap, Percy, can you keep him occupied?" Steve gritted his teeth as he kicked Ultron.

"What do you think we've been doing?" As they continued to fight Ultron, Wanda and Pietro Maximoff appeared on the train. "Oh, not you again." Percy groaned. "Can you please stay out of this?"

"And who are you supposed to be?" Pietro replied. Percy hesitated. "Per-Tsunami."

Then they started to fight Ultron, and Percy decided to deal with them later. "Please. Don't do this." Ultron pleaded. "What choice do we have?" Wanda retorted.

"Cap, do you see Nat?" Clint asked in their earbuds, fear in his voice. Worry gripped Percy. "Why? What happened to her?"

Steve took a deep breath. "If you have the package, get it to Stark! Go!"

"Do you have eyes on Nat?" Clint persisted. "Go!" Steve repeated, and turned to Wanda. "Can you stop this thing?" The two siblings looked at each other. In a flash, Pietro was gone. Percy saw civilians being whisked out of the way and knew that Pietro was doing his part.

Wanda thrust out her hands and red energy curled out of her, connected to the train. Percy could feel the vehicle slowing down as Wanda used her telekinetic powers. With a lurch, the train stopped. Wanda collapsed and caught her breath. Percy couldn't help but be impressed.

Pietro sped back into the train and also collapsed. Wanda ran to him. "I'm fine." He said, panting. "I just… need a minute."

"I'm very tempted not to give you one." Steve replied coolly. Wanda dismissed that comment. "The Cradle. Did you get it?"

"Stark will take care of it." Steve answered. She looked intently at him. "No, he won't."

"You don't know what you're talking about. Stark's not crazy."

"He will do anything to make things right." Wanda insisted, as if it were a bad thing. Steve put a hand to his ear. "Stark come in. Stark. Anyone on comms?"

"Ultron can't tell the difference between saving the world, and destroying it. Where do you think he gets that?" Percy realized what she was saying. A chill ran down his back. He gave her a short nod, and she looked relieved.

"Don't think you're off the hook, Wanda. We need to talk about playing with my head." Wanda looked slightly guilty and put her head down.

. . .

They took Wanda and Pietro on the quinjet back to the base. Percy walked over to them. "How old are you?" He asked abruptly. They looked surprised. "I'm… not sure." Wanda looked shocked to find those words out of her mouth. "Back when… we were enhanced, they trained us. They didn't celebrate birthdays. They didn't celebrate anything, much. We sort of… lost track of time."

The two looked at each other. "But if I had to guess," Pietro said slowly. "Twenty?" Percy nodded.

"Wanda. What did you see when you looked in my head?" Wanda looked at him. "Many things that I was shocked to discover. Have you told them?"

Percy said yes. She looked interested. "And what did you tell them? I sensed great trials in your life, Perseus Jackson. Did you tell them of Tartarus?"

Percy stiffened. "No."

"I am not surprised. That was traumatic even from my point of view."

"Gee, thanks." Percy said, trying to shake it off. At least the twins were on their side now, more or less. They could be a real asset, providing they didn't betray them to Ultron. Percy decided to reserve judgement for now. Wanda and Pietro had had a hard life.

A/N Sorry for the abrupt ending. I couldn't really decide when to end this. Also, I updated within two days. That's an accomplishment. Thank you to all my reviewers who have been cheering me on! Shout out to:

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