So fun fact, the end of this chapter was my inspiration for this story. It was one of, if not the first idea I had, so I was so excited to finally get to write it. I really hope you enjoy!
A meeting was called.
Right after the incident that morning, Fury appeared at the tower, summoning them all into one of the briefing rooms.
Bruce had returned soon enough and the discussion/lecture, whatever this was, began.
"Something is troubling you all," stated Fury, looking at each of them individually.
No one said anything for a moment, until Natasha broke the silence.
"We are becoming more certain of our theories about a child-soldier organisation, and it seems even worse than we thought," she said, darkly.
"How so?" questioned Fury. Natasha squinted her eyes. "This morning, Percy lashed at Jason for no apparent reason."
"And when I talked to him moments ago, he confessed how he didn't know why he started the argument," added Bruce.
Fury looked at them, edging them to continue.
"We also discussed what was said on the plane," continued Steve. Fury nodded. "I heard some of what both Jackson and Jason said. What were your thoughts on it?" inquired Fury.
"We think for certain that they work for a secret operation that forces them to do... terrible things. They are threatened to comply, implied by the fear Percy seemed to have of being 'shot down' while we were in the plane, and from their own fathers, nonetheless. Because of their familial relation to the group, they seem to feel obliged to follow orders. Do things they don't want to do," explained Steve.
"They, along with many others, are kept at this 'camp', told that it is 'for their own safety'. When they leave, or in Percy and Jason's case, are prevented from returning, they are threatened with... execution." Steve finished with a grave expression on his face.
Fury remained silent for a few moments, mulling over everything that had been said. Finally, he nodded.
"I agree," he said. "Everything you all have been saying makes sense. Especially with the new information we found."
Bruce frowned. "What new information?"
Fury gestured to one of the agents in the room. She walked over and set a a computer and some files on the table.
Fury opened up the laptop, typed something on the keyboard before flipping it round for the group to see.
On the screen was a google maps image of an area in the woods on Long Island. A lake could be seen and fields filled the surroundings with different what appeared to be fruits growing throughout.
The name of the place was apparently called 'Delphi Strawberry Service.'
The Avengers exchanged similar looks of confusion before looking to Fury for an explanation.
"You know that camp that those two keep talking about, which we presume is a codename for this agency?" he asked. They nodded. "This is it."
Their faces all scrunched up in confusion. Perplexion was clear amongst them.
"What?" Clint asked what everyone was thinking.
"Jackson stated that he goes to this summer camp every year. We managed to track through security footage where he goes. There aren't as many cameras out there, but this is the only location in the proximity," explained Fury.
"A strawberry farm? Really?" asked Tony, clearly not convinced. "Really," Fury replied, seriously.
"But it's so out in the open. Wouldn't we have noticed a training ground for kidnapped children?" argued Bruce.
"Yes, we should have. How they managed to slip right under our radar is a mystery to me," said Fury, annoyance obvious in his tone.
"That then proves just how dangerous this group is. If they can operate for years right out in the open without S.H.I.E.L.D knowing about them, they must have power far greater than we possess," decided Natasha.
"Hang on. We don't know for certain that this is their headquarters. It could just be a legitimate Strawberry business. Maybe even a real summer camp as well," tried Bruce.
"I agree," said Steve. "Even though this all appears to add up more or less, we still can't simply jump to conclusions just because this is in the direction of where Percy goes when he says he's going to a summer camp."
"Come on, Cap, don't be so naïve," said Tony. "I'm not being naïve; I'm just stating the facts," argued Steve. He turned to Fury.
"Before we make any final decisions, let us see what Percy and Jason say," said Steve.
"I have allowed you that since they have arrived, and I am not seeing much progress," said Fury, warningly.
"They've opened up to us already, and I think we're really close to them telling us the truth about what is really going on," argued Steve.
Fury eyed him for a moment, thinking it over. Then he sighed.
"Very well," he agreed. "But if they don't tell you anything, and soon, then I'm sorry, but we can't wait around anymore. This terrorist group could make a move in the time you're taking to 'make friends'," he said.
They all gave their affirmation. Fury then headed to the door but stopped midway through.
"Captain," he said in a warning tone, looking at him in the yes.
"Remember. You can't save everyone."
Steve looked at him, holding his gaze. "I can try," he said firmly.
Fury continued to stare at them all for another moment before turning and finally walking out.
...
After Fury left, they all returned to the main lounge area. Jason was sitting on one of the sofas, reading.
Even though he had acted tough in front of everyone, Fury's words still rang in his head.
You can't save everyone.
Steve shook his head to clear his thoughts. He would prove Fury wrong.
That wasn't the only thing concerning him, though.
What Bruce had told them about his conversation with Percy. It had been... unsettling, to say the least.
From the sounds of it, Percy hadn't known exactly what he was doing. Or at least, he didn't know why. That was even more worrying.
What if they were right, and this organisation was controlling them? Threatening them?
They had to get to the bottom of whatever was really going on here, and fast.
When they had all settled into the room, they noticed how on edge Jason looked. Clint had tried to lighten the atmosphere, asking him if he wanted to watch movies, or go to the gym. He even suggested going outside to the running area. But Jason refused every offer.
He would give a half-hearted excuse to all Clint's ideas, and one-word responses any time someone tried to talk to him. All in all, Steve was worried.
From what he and the others had discussed earlier, Jason's behaviour was not exactly encouraging. They had decided to have one last attempt at getting the boys to open up and explain what was really going on; what they were hiding. However, to not appear obvious, this unfortunately meant beginning with, small talk.
After a while of leaving him be, Steve walked up to Jason and sat down beside him on the sofa. Jason was reading a book and didn't even spare him a glance as he sat down.
"So," Steve began. "Good book?"
"Hmm," was all he got in response. Steve frowned and tried again. He would not be discouraged.
"What's it called?" he asked. Jason looked at him for a moment with an unimpressed look before turning back to his book. Okay, so clearly my attempts at subtlety are failing.
"You wouldn't know it," replied Jason. "Past your generation."
Steve raised an eyebrow. Did he just call me old? In fairness, he was old, but he had been catching up on pop cultures of the modern day! Besides, Jason didn't seem like the person to say something like that to someone. At least not to their face, anyway.
"Try me," said Steve. Jason looked up at him again before conceding.
"Fine," he said. "It's The Hunger Games."
Steve paused, racking his brain. He did know that name. He did. But what was it about? Was it the one with the vampires? Or the kids in the maze?
He could see Jason watching him with a "told you so" look on his face, which just made Steve want to prove him wrong even more. Ugh, I sound like a child. No, like Tony.
After a few moments of deliberation, he settled on a guess. "Oh yeah, the one about the girl with the bow and arrow, who volunteers to play a live survival game in the jungle," he said as casually as he could.
Jason stared at him for a moment, and Steve could feel himself sweat a little bit. Why am I getting so worked up over whether I know some random book or not?
Jason huffed. "Yeah, that's the one," agreed Jason. Steve breathed a silent sigh of relief.
"Except you left out the part about it being a game made for the entertainment of the rich people, where they watch children murder each other till the last one standing is the victor," continued Jason, a sly smile on his face as he said so.
Steve's eyes widened and he whipped his head round. "They do what?!" he asked, shocked. He looked over to Clint who was sitting on the sofa opposite, cleaning his arrows.
"Did you know that was what this was about?" he asked, incredulously.
"Course, it's a pretty popular book. And movie," replied Clint, not looking at him.
Steve looked between the two. "I don't think you should be reading that," he started, looking warily at the book in Jason's hands.
Tony, who had been listening from across the room, scoffed. "It's made for young people, Cap," he said.
Steve could not believe what he was hearing. How could children be allowed to read something so violent?
"Calm down, Steve. A lot of books and movies these days are pretty dark and violent. Kids love it. And The Hunger Games aren't that bad," Clint said nonchalantly.
Steve shook his head. He still was in a bit iffy on the subject, but decided to leave it be so he could return to his original intent for starting a conversation.
"Well then, anyway," he continued, turning back to Jason. "Do you read books like this often?"
"Like what?" asked Jason, who was still reading and not really paying him much attention.
"Intense, violent," explained Steve. Jason looked at him weirdly. "I guess? I don't know," he replied, clearly finding the question rather bizarre.
"Do you get much time to read?" asked Steve, trying a different approach.
"Well, I'm definitely not now since you insist on talking," Jason muttered. "Apart from now, though," said Steve.
Jason rolled his eyes and sighed, but responded nonetheless. "No, I don't really get to read that often anyway. I'm... busy," he said.
"Do you watch TV or play games instead?" asked Clint, catching onto what Steve was doing. "Or are you a phone addict like Tony?" asked Natasha, glancing at Tony as she spoke.
"Hey. I have a lot of very important information on that phone that I need at all times," defended Tony.
"Yes, daily memes and cute animal videos are 'very important information'," retorted Natasha, sarcastically.
Tony made a very mature face at her before exiting the room.
The others looked back at Jason, who clearly thought he was getting out of that question as he continued to stare at his book, but answered when he realised the attention was back on him.
He sighed. "No. I don't watch or use any of that stuff. We don't even have any of it at-"
He stopped mid sentence, realising what he was saying.
"At camp?" Steve finished for him. Jason hesitated, then nodded.
"We're not really connected to the rest of the world. We prefer to stay more... old-fashioned," he said.
Steve frowned. It sounded like the camp didn't want them to be able to connect with the rest of the world, by preventing, forbidding, any form of contact between them.
He glanced at the others who held similar wary expressions on their faces.
"How do you speak to anyone back home who is not at camp?" asked Natasha.
"I don't," Jason said bluntly. He looked up when there was a silence.
"No, I mean," he stammered. This isn't looking good. "Everyone I've ever known or would want to talk to is at camp, or comes by occasionally," he explained.
That didn't help his statement at all, and he knew Jason could tell from how he glanced between them nervously.
"So, what you're saying is that the only people you know or have ever been in contact with are the ones who also attend this camp?" Clint asked slowly, looking at him sceptically.
Jason paled a little. "Uh..." he began, unsure how to respond. He was saved from answering however as Tony returned at that moment with Bruce behind him, both carrying multiple take-out bags.
"Foods here!" called Tony heading over to the table.
Jason sprang up and hurried over, taking the opportunity to escape this conversation.
The others reluctantly let the topic slide and followed suit.
They all got plates and drinks sorted, setting out the Chinese food they had gotten.
"Is Percy coming down?" asked Steve, noticing his continued absence from the table. He saw Jason flinch slightly at the mention of his friend, and Steve immediately felt bad about bringing him up so publicly.
"I told him what time it would be here at, and I asked Jarvis to give him a shout as we were headed up," explained Bruce.
Steve nodded and they all sat down to begin eating, expecting Percy to arrive down at any moment. He didn't.
It was when they were all almost finished and he had still not appeared they became slightly concerned.
"I'm going to go check where he is," said Steve getting up.
He left the room and got in the lift, heading up the tower. He got out and walked down the corridor to Percy's room.
He must still be annoyed from earlier. Steve just hoped he wasn't about to walk in on a teenage angst session. He did not know how to deal with those.
He knocked on Percy's door. "Percy? Dinner's here," called Steve. No answer. He knocked again. Still nothing.
Steve frowned. "Jarvis, can you open the door, please?" asked Steve worriedly. What if Percy had gotten out? "Of course, sir," responded the AI.
The door slid open, and Steve hurriedly stepped into the room.
He did a quick scan. Percy was nowhere to be seen. "Damn it," muttered Steve. "Percy?" he called out in a last hopeful attempt that he was still here.
He still received no response, but this time he heard something. It sounded like a person, in pain, and it was coming from the bathroom.
Steve dashed in and was not expecting to see what lay before him.
Percy was hunched over the toilet, emptying his stomach's contents into its midst.
He was shaking, his skin as white as snow, sweat dripping off him. He was gasping for breath any chance he could get, which was not often.
Steve bent down beside him, placing one hand on his back and the other on his forehead. Steve had to pull his hand off quickly from how hot he was. He wasn't burning up, he was on fire.
Steve cursed under his breath. "Bruce!" he yelled. He had no idea if anyone could hear them, but he had to keep trying.
They needed help. Now.
...
Jason sat watching Tony and Clint argue about who would get the last piece of chicken, Natasha looking at them like they were both idiots, and Bruce not really paying them any attention.
Everything was fine, until it wasn't.
A yell rang out from somewhere in the tower, causing everyone to silence and listen.
With the quiet, they could hear who was shouting. Steve. He was calling for Bruce, and he sounded distressed.
Bruce immediately stood up with a concerned look on his face. When another yell was heard, he ran quickly from the room, everyone dashing after him. Jason hesitated a moment, not knowing if he should follow.
Then he remembered where Steve had gone. Percy.
He sucked in a breath, hurrying after the group.
When he arrived upstairs, he saw Natasha, Clint and Tony all standing outside Percy's bedroom door.
Worry growing inside him, he sped walked up to them.
"What's going on?" he asked, concern lacing into his voice. They all glanced at him, then at each other, looking unsure of what to say.
"What? What is it?" he pressed. After a pause, Natasha began to answer him. "Jason, Percy's-"
She was cut off by the sound of retching coming from inside the room.
Jason paled and pushed through them into the room, ignoring their protests. He only made it two steps in before he stopped in his tracks.
The door to the bathroom was open, the scene inside making his blood run cold.
Steve was kneeling on the ground talking to Bruce who was crouched down opposite him, and in between them...
Jason's breath caught in his throat. Leaning over the toilet was Percy.
He looked like he was about to pass out, eyes dark, his hair slick with sweat, and his skin ghostly pale. He was panting, his breaths coming in shallow.
Jason, scared for his friend, took a step towards him. Percy's eyes instantly shot over to him and they widened in alarm.
"Jason, no! Get back!" he yelled out. Jason froze in place, confused. He knew Percy might not be completely over earlier, but he hoped he would least let Jason check on him.
But the look in Percy's eyes sent a chill down Jason's spine, paralysing his movements. "Percy-"
"No! Get out of here!" he shouted, voice strained. The others had stepped into the room now, and Steve and Bruce exchanged a look at Percy's outburst.
But Jason realized something. Percy didn't look angry. He looked... terrified.
Jason opened his mouth to try again but Percy beat him to it.
"Jason," he said, voice shaking. "I have it."
The silence that hung gave Jason time to realise what he meant. No.
He sucked in a breath, eyes widening. No no no no!
Jason instinctively hurried back until he slammed into the wall opposite from Percy. He stared at his friend laying on the floor. His friend, infected with the deadly disease that was killing off demigods. The disease with no cure.
He knew people were talking to him, but he couldn't hear them. His ears were ringing as he eyes stayed glued on Percy, who looked at defeatedly. No, this can't be happening!
Jason made to step forward again, to get to his friend, but Percy wouldn't allow it.
"Jason," he said quietly, still panting. "Go."
Jason hated what he did next, but his panic got the better of him.
He ran.