The Uncle and The Nephew (A Percy Jackson/The Avengers Crossover Fanfiction)

Wait. What? - Chapter 31

3rd POV

Percy had been gone for two days. Saying that everyone was crazy would be the understatement of the year. Nico and Will had left to go back to Camp. Something about an oversized chicken jumping off a tree and breaking its arm. Thalia had to go back to the Hunt.

Hazel and Frank had come back to visit Percy. They had chosen to take a week off. When they got back and saw he wasn't there, they were surprised.

Grover had stayed but went between the tower and camp often. Annabeth was a wreck and had gone on a month long hiatus from the Olympus redesigning.

The Avengers were still all off doing their own thing. Tony was rushing around trying to find Percy. Pepper was trying to make sure that he still took care of himself. Wanda had been up in her room for most of the time Percy had been gone.

Steve had been trying to provide the comfort he could, but he wasn't exactly all Laverne to the demigods' Shirley.

Grover had an idea where Percy was, but hadn't brought it up for fear of raising hopes just for them to be crushed. It was better to stay quiet.

Everything went to hell that night, however.

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Percy barely remembered anything. He had glimpses that kept popping up in his mind. He couldn't control what he was doing, but rather was almost seeing it from another perspective.

There were flashed of blood, screaming, a knife, rain pounding against a window, a sound of glass shattering, then silence. It was confusing, to say the least.

Percy didn't know how long he had been dormant in his own body for. Maybe a couple hours, maybe a couple days. All he knew is that he did something, something big and bad.

He could still think perfectly fine, it was almost like he was taking a long nap. He couldn't see or hear anything but could think. He was in control of his thoughts just not his body.

Tartarus was laughing in his mind constantly. A laugh that chilled Percy to his very core. A malicious, sadistic, absolutely insane laugh. One you would expect to hear from a serial killer.

He distinctly wondered if this was what Luke felt like, in control but somehow not. It wasn't like what being possessed by an eidolon was like, but Tartarus was considerably worse than a monster.

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Everyone was gathered in the living room, staring intently at the tv.

The demigods were all sitting on the main couch facing the tv. Tony was sitting on the sofa to the left of the couch, Pepper next to him. Steve was on the chair opposite the sofa. Wanda was sitting with her back against the coffee table in the center of the sitting space. 

The news was on, showing the crime section. A man that looked distinctly like a young Al Pacino (Michael Corleone days) was solemnly saying something about how a random guy walked in screaming at the lobby man in the Empire State Building. They didn't have any footage of the guy because all the cameras recording had mysteriously cut out at the exact time he walked in.

"All eye witnesses have arbitrarily forgot all characteristics of the man, what he was saying, and if he got violent or not. The lobby man, a 35 year old Samuel King, is now in the hospital with severe internal bleeding, however. No one knows how Mr. King gained these injuries. There are no traces of a struggle in the lobby-" The newscaster had a slight Australian accent.

There were pictures of Mr. King, the man  Annabeth had met many times while going to Olympus. His face seemed banged up, but he appeared fine otherwise.

Tony switched the channel to another news station. This one was also showing Mr. King, with special views of the Empire State Building.

Tony switched it once again, to another news channel showing the exact same thing.

Tony shut the tv off.

There was a pit in Grover's stomach. He reached out his senses, trying to pick up on any of Percy's emotions.

Suddenly, Grover's mind was overloaded with screams, images of blood splattering over walls, a sense of utter despair and hopelessness, then it was gone; replaced with a horrid headache.

Hazel spoke up, "Percy wouldn't have ran away if he didn't think it was for the better. Better for us, not for him. He may be smart when it comes to strategy, but acts like an absolute idiot when it comes to protecting his friends. He would do whatever it takes to keep them alive, even if it meant sacrificing himself."

Annabeth stared at her.

"Sorry, that was meant to be reassuring." Hazel smiled sheepishly and blushed.

Frank put an arm around her shoulders and squeezed affectionately, "Percy's fine. I know he is. He's one of the strongest people I know. He has a plan."

Annabeth tried to smile, but it came out as more of a grimace. "Thanks."

Grover grinned at them both. "We'll find him. You guys are really helping out. Thank you."

"It's no problem. Percy's one of our best friends." Hazel sniffled a little bit.

Tony stared at all of them. Then abruptly stood up. "I-uh. Have to go to the restroom." Then he walked briskly out of the room.

Pepper looked in his direction, debating over following him or leaving him be.

Steve looked down at the newspaper on the end table next to him. There was another article about the Empire State Building. God, this thing was all over the place.

Wanda glanced at all the demigods and smiled supportively. "Percy seems to have a handle on his life. We can find him and get him back here soon enough." Then she too, walked out.

The avengers all trickled out of the living room a little while after that. Then the demigods following, one by one.

Grover was the only one still in the room. Standing by himself. It was raining outside, thunder sounding in the distance. His only source of light was the dim lamp on the end table.

He tried to reach out once again, but got nothing but radio silence.

Where are you, Percy? Grover wondered.

Ahhh!!! THE SUN AND THE STAR JUST CAME OUT!!! I LOVE IT!!!

EDITED FEBRUARY 6, 2024

Word Count: 1037 Words Total