As they headed down to the laboratories, Natasha and Clint departed temporarily from the group. They had something they needed to do. Things they needed to learn.
They went into one of the med bay rooms. This one, however, was for certain, very specific patients. Ones who were too powerful to be left in the regular rooms. Ones who were patients, but also prisoners.
They walked into the room. On the other side of the room, a figure lay on the bed, unmoving.
The two agents looked at each other before stepping forward.
"Percy?" called Clint, eyes on the young boy.
No response. "Percy, it's us. We came to check on you, see if you needed anything," tried Natasha, steeping slightly closer.
That got a response. Percy swung round, eyes locked on the two and leapt forward, only to run right into the detainment glass separating him from the rest of the room.
He growled at it and then at them. Then, surprisingly, he smirked.
"Well, well, well, look who it is," said Percy, grinning at them. "How nice of you to drop by. And to check on me! I'm truly honoured." Even though he was the one speaking, it seem right. It didn't seem like Percy was the who was actually talking, as though it was something else entirely. something like the disease.
They kept their gaze locked on Percy, who paced slowly in front of them.
"You seem more, coherent than you were back there," acknowledged Clint.
Percy smiled. "It comes and goes, although the way I was acting out there was way more fun." He laughed then. "Was that a nice way of saying you find me less insane now? Less crazy?"
Clint stared at him for a moment. "You never were any of those things," he said finally. "It's just the disease making you this way."
They just about contained a surprised jump when Percy lurched forward right at the glass, a snarl on his face.
"You think you know me so well, don't you?" he hissed, eyes looking between them and sounding a lot more like he did during the night. "Well surprise, but you don't. You haven't even known me a week!" he spat at them.
"We want to know you, Percy. We really do," said Natasha, softly. "And we know you haven't had an easy life, with being kicked out of schools, the disappearance of your first stepfather-"
Percy lunged forward at the glass again, glaring at them.
"He was the one who made my life a living hell," snarled Percy. "Trust me, my life got a whole lot easier after he was gone."
The two looked at each other. "He hurt you," said Clint, thinking back to when they had learnt of Percy's abuse and turning back to the boy. Percy stared at him, not replying.
"Having to deal with that your whole life I'm sure would have built up a lot of repressed anger," continued Clint, speaking somewhat softer. He really did feel terrible for Percy for what he had to go through, and he hoped that sympathy came across as he spoke.
Percy continued to stare, though his gaze grew darker with each passing word.
"We know what he did to you was awful, Percy, but you shouldn't take that anger out on Jason. He's your friend," said Natasha, stepping closer to him.
Percy's face softened for a moment, but the expression quickly vanished.
"He left me. Alone," whispered Percy, darkness overcoming his face. "He always thought he was better than me, just cause of who his dad was," continued Percy, speaking almost more to himself as he walked around his confined space.
They frowned, confused. "I thought Jason said he didn't really know his dad, why would he-"
Percy then whipped his head round and launched himself at the barrier, banging it with his fists and even attempting to throw his body at it. The look in his eyes that had once been somewhat focused was now gone, replaced with pure hatred.
"I think he's gone again, or at least won't be talking anymore," muttered Natasha.
Clint nodded. "Come on, we should go check on the others."
They then both walked back to the door, glancing back on the way out at the crazed boy, not at all like the one they met only a few days ago.
...
Bruce removed the needle with Leo's blood sample and carefully carried it over to scan it for the plague.
Natasha and Clint walked in at this point, heading over quietly to Steve, Tony and Bruce.
Leo then turned to Jason. "Okay, now you have to tell me what's going on."
Jason glanced over at the Avengers who were pretending not to listen in on their conversation.
"You have to tell me what happened to you first," argues Jason, giving Leo a look.
Leo pauses for a minute, then sighs. "Fine okay, fair enough," he says, groaning. "But you have to tell me everything you know as well."
Jason rolls his eyes. "Yeah obviously, but you first," he says, gesturing for Leo to get on with it.
"Okay, okay," said Leo, thinking back to the fight against Gaia. "Well right after the battle against-"
Jason whacks him upside the head. "Ow!" said Leo, rubbing his head and glaring at Jason. "Stop slapping me! What was that even for?"
Jason jerks his head at the Avengers a few steps away, who were frowning at Jason's actions but then tried to make themselves look busy when they spotted the boys glancing their way.
"Not in English with them around," muttered Jason, now speaking in Ancient Greek.
Leo looked between Jason and the eavesdropping group, puzzled. "I thought you said you trusted them," he asked, confused but following Jason's lead all the same.
"To an extent," clarifies Jason. "But they don't know about our world!" he stressed, looking at Leo like he was ridiculous to not have thought of that.
"Okay, okay, sorry," said Leo, raising his hands in surrender.
"Right, well," he continues. "We knew the fight against Gaia would be a dangerous one, and the likelihood of us winning without making some sacrifices was slim to none."
"But that didn't mean you had to sacrifice yourself!" argued Jason, looking at him exasperated.
"I did if we wanted to defeat her," pressed Leo, looking at Jason knowingly. "But I had a plan."
Jason frowns and beckons Leo to continue, feeling the eyes of the Avengers on them, annoyed at not being able to understand their conversation.
"Do you remember the Physicians cure?" Leo asks lowly, despite the fact no one will be able decipher what they're saying.
Jason's eyes widen as he realises what Leo is saying. "You were planning on taking that all along?" hissed Jason, shocked.
"Yeah," admitted Leo, looking a little guilty.
"Leo, why didn't you tell us?" questions Jason, brow furrowed.
"Because I knew how you all would react and what you would say," explained Leo, patiently.
"That you were crazy? That no, sacrificing yourself to stop Gaia was not in fact a good idea?" said Jason, still trying to think through everything Leo was saying.
"I knew you would try to stop me," said Leo, giving Jason a look. "And I didn't say it was a good idea, but it was the only way. Hazel and Frank agreed anyway, so-"
"Hazel and Frank knew about this?" Jason said, exasperated.
"I'm sorry, Jason. It's just..." Leo struggles to find the words. "They didn't like it, not at all, but they understood. I knew they would since they're Roman, and Romans are prepared to do what is necessary for the greater good."
"I know you're Roman, too," clarifies Leo just as Jason was about to interject, "but you are my best friend, man, and Roman or not there was no way you would let me do what I did."
Jason is silent for a moment, looking at the floor as he takes in Leo's words.
"I'm so sorry I put you through that Jason, but hey," he said, pulling Jason's attention back to him. "It worked, right? I'm alive!"
Jason looks at him for a moment before a small smile appears on his face. "Yeah, that's true."
"Of course it's true! I mean come on, did you really think death was going to win against the McShizzle? Supreme Commander of the Argo 2?" asked Leo, grinning from ear to ear.
Jason is grinning too now, his posture relaxing for once and looking far more at ease. "That is a fair point," he admits.
"Exactly," said Leo, smirking. A thought suddenly came to him. "Plus, something even better happened! After I got the cure, I went back to Ogygia where I got marooned!" explained Leo, looking overjoyed.
Jason blinked. "Why is that good exactly?"
"Dude," said Leo, hitting him playfuly. "That's where I met Calypso! You know, love of my life?"
Understanding seemed to dawn on Jason's face and he smiled at his friend. "Leo that's great! I'm so happy for you!"
Leo shrugged. "It was pretty great. So, not only did I help defeat Gaia, but I got my girl back too! I am on a roll!"
The smile dropped from Jason's face. Leo, who had been grinning off to the side as he thought about Calypso, turned back to face Jason when he didn't get a response. He frowned when he saw his expression.
"You good there, Jason?" he asked, concerned.
Jason looked at him with sad eyes. "I guess it's time I gave my explanation."
Leo frowned but leaned forward, making sure he gave Jason his full attention.
"You did defeat Gaia, but we didn't win," said Jason, a grave look in his eyes.
Leo's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"
Jason took a deep breath before explaining everything to him.
"She sent a plague, Leo. A deadly one. With her last ounce of power, she released a disease designed specifically for demigods to ensure she had the last laugh. To make sure she killed every single one of us in some way or another, and in turn, killing the gods. She couldn't let us win. So even though we did defeat her, we didn't win this. Not completely anyway," finished Jason.
Leo stared at him, not believing what Jason was saying. "But there must be a cure, right?" asked Leo after a moment of silence. "There's got to be something we can do."
Jason shook his head sadly. "No. No one could find anything. Leo," said Jason, completely serious. "Not even Apollo. And believe me, he's tried." Jason leaned even further in. "Leo, the gods are fading."
Leo's face remained still. "You knew," realised Jason. Leo nodded slowly. "Right before we left Ogygia, my father came to me. He said something was going on; that the Gods powers were fading, because there was no one left to believe or remember them..."
His eyes went wide as he realised now what he meant. "No," he whispered.
Jason nodded. "Leo, Camp Half-Blood is almost completely gone."
"No," repeated Leo. "That can't be true. All our friends. Jason, please say it isn't true!" he pleaded. Jason didn't have the heart to respond, instead looking away.
Leo took in a shaky breath. "That's what's wrong with Percy, isn't it?" he said quietly.
Jason paused before nodding. "And...and you? Oh gods, Jason please don't say..." he said, not wanting to finish his sentence.
Jason inhaled deeply before looking up again at him. "Yeah, I have it too."
Leo looked devasted, probably the most Jason had ever seen him, and he hated it. He hated it so much.
"That's why they took the blood sample," realised Leo, looking over at the group near the machinery.
"Yeah," confirmed Jason, following his gaze.
"And there's no chance that I don't have it?" asked Leo, desperation clear in his voice.
Jason looked at him with a pained expression. "I'm sorry, Leo. It's highly contagious, and..."
"And, what?" asked Leo, sounding even more worried than he already was, if that was possible.
"Leo," sighed Jason. "Everyone who has contracted the plague... they've all died, Leo. Everyone. This virus, it has a 100% kill rate. No one has survived."
Leo sat there, staring into space, Jason's words ringing in his head. They've all died. Everyone. No one has survived.
"That's what Hephaestus meant when he said there was no one left to believe. All the demigods... they're dyeing," muttered Leo.
"Leo," said Jason, sounding pained. "I'm so sorry, I wish we could-"
A ding sounded from across the room, drawing everyone's attention.
Bruce hesitated before slowly walking over to the machine and bringing up the results.
...
"What do you think they're talking about?" asked Tony, peering curiously at the two boys deep in a conversation in their unknown language.
"I don't know," replied Natasha, also watching them. "I don't feel very comfortable letting them discuss and possibly plan things with us unable to understand them, though."
"I'm sure it's nothing too serious," said Steve, though he too felt a little apprehensive.
"Then why are they speaking in a different language so we won't know what they're saying?" pointed out Tony, raising an eyebrow at him while he ate a packet of blueberries.
Clint frowned at him. "Seriously, where do you keep getting those from?"
"I have secrets too, Barton, and I'm not going to disclose them to the likes of you," replied Tony, not even looking at him.
Clint looked at him unimpressed and trying to hide his irritation. "That doesn't even make any sense-"
"Is this really an important topic of conversation right now?" interrupted Bruce, looking between them, frustrated.
"I would think so, yes," said Tony, popping another blueberry into his mouth.
Bruce rolled his eyes and got back to the situation at hand.
"Anyway, we now know that this other boy is with this camp along with Percy and Jason," started Bruce.
Steve nodded, glancing over at the boy. "He's even younger than them, as well. Barely a teenager," he added, not sounding at all happy about it.
"We knew they took in young children," reminded Natasha, folding her arms.
"I know, but still," sighed Steve. He looked over to her. "What happened when you two went to see Percy?"
Natasha and Clint glanced at each other. "He seemed to be somewhat coherent," said Clint, looking back to Steve and the others. "But still was aggressive and violent."
"He started talking to us though," pointed out Natasha. "What about?" asked Bruce, curiously.
"His first stepfather, actually," replied Natasha, drawing surprised looks. "Really?" asked Tony.
"Yeah," confirmed Clint. "But the way he talked about him. I think he knows what happened to him, might even have had something to do with his disappearance."
"I mean the man was abusive," said Tony. "But to think Percy would kill him? It just doesn't seem like him," said Bruce, frowning.
"We need to look in to that after all this, and get help for Percy. He clearly still has issues regarding this man. If that declaration wasn't enough, how he reacts around alcohol would be a good indicator," said Steve, remembering what was said at the beach.
They all nodded. "Agreed. The poor kid has probably been through so much, and I doubt this camp provides support for things like this," said Bruce, distastefully.
"What about Jason?" asked Clint, remembering what Percy said about him. "Percy mentioned him as well."
Steve frowned. "What did he say?"
"He said about how Jason left him alone when he needed him," explained Natasha. "Just like what he said during their fight," remembered Tony, finally setting his snack down.
"He also mentioned Jason's father," added Clint, gravelly. Now they all looked confused. "His father? What would Percy have to do with Jason's father?" questioned Bruce, perplexed.
"He said that Jason thinks he's superior to Percy because of his father," said Natasha. "But how would Percy even know who Jason's father is when Jason barely does?" pressed Steve, getting more bewildered by the minute.
"And why would his father make Jason think himself better than Percy?" added Tony.
"I don't know," sighed Natasha, annoyed at the lack of knowledge she had. "Maybe... maybe his father is someone at this camp as well. Maybe he is quite high up in ranks and this gives Jason an advantage."
"But that's what we thought about Percy too, so why would he have any less of an advantage?" pushed Steve, frown deepening.
Natasha grunted. "I don't know, maybe-"
A ding sounded beside them and they all immediately snapped to attention, everyone's conversations coming to an abrupt halt.
They were frozen for a moment, all staring at the machine, seemingly having forgotten why they were all there in the first place.
Bruce finally managed to refocus himself and walked over to the machine.
He hesitated, then pressed a button, loading the results.
There were a few beeping sounds, then finally another ding.
Bruce tapped the screen and stared, a frown appearing in his brow and his eyes widening with each passing moment.
"Bruce?" Steve asked, slowly, a frown growing on his own features as well with the continuous silence that dragged on.
"Um... I..." stammered Bruce, leaning in closer to get a better look at what he was seeing.
"Bruce, what is it? What's wrong?" asked Natasha, her eyes narrowing.
Bruce continued to stare for a moment before turning around, completely ignoring the Avengers and locking his eyes on Leo.
"The test... it's negative," he explained, not quite believing his own words.
Leo's eyes widened, looking quickly between Bruce and a very confused Jason. "What?" he asked, shocked.
Bruce still stared at him as the words registered in his own mind.
"Kid, you're not sick."