Agent Jackson

Chapter 4

Percy looked through some files on his laptop while they drove to Montauk. He was reviewing Nick's choices for the Avenger's Initiative. There was a rule at Montauk: no work or weapons allowed. So, he was just finishing up some work that he meant to do earlier.

Percy completely agreed with putting Natasha and Clint on the team, but was more skeptical about the others. Rogers wasn't a bad pick, but he wouldn't mesh well with Stark. Banner was timid and scared of the Hulk and Thor was an unknown variable. Stark... well, Percy could see potential, but he needed to let down his cocky act enough to play well with others. Then, there was Percy and Piper. Though, it was noted that they would more likely be called in if it was a real emergency. Like, a world-threatening emergency.

He was about to add a note onto the file when the laptop was slammed shut. "No work at Montauk, Blue."

Percy looked up and grinned when he saw the cabin and beach. He carefully stowed away his laptop in its case and followed Piper and Clint into the cabin.

The whole day was spent playing on the beach, and when it began to get dark, they lit a fire and made food. They sat around telling stories of missions and such until it got too dark and became time for them to sleep. Percy smiled as he fell asleep, his guard down for the first time in almost a year.

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Percy woke up when the door to the cabin burst open, revealing a soaked Grover with... goat legs? Not the most surprising thing Percy has seen, but still a shock. "Thank the gods! I've been searching all night," Grover panted.

Percy glared at him. "What are you doing here?"

"Have to take you to Camp," Grover said, clearly panicking. A loud roar woke Clint and Piper and Grover seemed even more panicked. "We need to go now!"

"Who the hell are you?" Piper demanded.

Percy growled under his breath. "Introductions can wait! Grover's right. Let's go."

Piper and Clint didn't question anything further and they all piled into Clint's car. Grover started giving them directions and Clint sped along in the rain. They were almost to the hill where they supposedly needed to get to when lightning struck the car and it overturned. Grover and Piper were knocked unconscious in the blast.

Percy managed to get everyone out of the car and turned to face the monster that was chasing them: the Minotaur. Percy cursed and began dragging Grover along while Clint took Piper. "We need to get to the hill!" Percy shouted to Clint.

Clint nodded determinedly and started to go faster. "Go!" he shouted as the Minotaur caught up to him. He set Piper down and went to fight the Minotaur, only to disappear in a flash of golden light, Piper following shortly after.

"No!" Percy shouted. He screamed in rage and charged, sliding under the monster and jumping onto his back. He pulled on one of his horns with all his might. It snapped and Percy plunged it deep into his forehead, dissolving him into golden dust, just like Mrs. Dodds.

Then, he stumbled over to Grover, picking him up and walking to the tree. Just as he passed it, he heard a horn sound, and looked up in time to see the worried face of Mr. Brunner before promptly passing out. 

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When Percy woke up, he was laying in some kind of hospital bed, an IV attached to his arm. He took it out and scanned the room. Sitting beside his bed was Grover with his goat legs. On the other side of the room was the exit.

"You're awake!" Grover exclaimed after noticing Percy's state of consciousness.

Percy sent him a cold stare. "Underwood. Where am I?"

Grover winced at his tone. "Camp Half-Blood. I'm supposed to bring you to Chiron so he can explain better."

Percy swung his legs over the edge of the bed and stood. "Lead the way."

Grover led Percy to a large blue farmhouse. On the way, he said, "Mr. D's going to be there. Try not to make him mad."

Percy ignored him and just followed.

As they neared, Percy could see Mr. Brunner and a man who Percy assumed was Mr. D, playing a game of cards. "Chiron!" Grover called.

Mr. Brunner turned to them and smiled. "Ah, Percy! Glad to see you're awake."

Percy nodded curtly. "I assume you're Chiron, Mr. Brunner?"

Chiron nodded. "Yes, and I apologize for all the secrecy."

"Explain."

He sighed. "The Greek gods are real and, just like in the myths, they have children. Demigods. You are a demigod, Percy." 

Percy frowned. "And Underwood is a satyr. Are you the Chiron of myth then?"

Chiron smiled. "Very good, Percy."

"Dad and Piper... they're really dead?"

"I'm so sorry, my boy."

"I see," he said stoically. He pushed away his emotions and forced himself to think clearly. He couldn't let his guard down again. He wouldn't.

Mr. D, who Percy assumed was Dionysus, looked up and furrowed his brow. "You don't seem all that upset, Peter."

"I do not grieve in public, Lord Dionysus," Percy said stiffly.

Dionysus frowned but didn't say more.

Percy stood and began to walk through the camp, barely taking in his surroundings. He walked towards the beach, hoping that would be more private than the nearby lake he sensed. Luckily, no one was there. He collapsed onto the sand and finally allowed tears to fall. He allowed himself to grieve. 

He didn't know how long he sat there, but the sun was starting to set when he felt a presence simply... appear beside him. Looking over, he saw a man in a mail carrier's uniform sitting in the sand beside him, though how he had gotten there was a mystery to Percy. He looked normal enough, but the caduceus laying at his feet gave away his identity.

"Lord Hermes," Percy acknowledged, not making any move to bow or show any further signs of respect than the title.

He smiled kindly. "Hello, Percy."

Something about him comforted Percy. Perhaps it was the genuine kindness he exuded or perhaps it was that he had the same eyes as Clint. Percy didn't know, but he was almost immediately less irritated by his presence. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"

"I was sent to bring you a message."

"And what might that be?" Percy asked, in no mood to deal with mysterious messages.

He smiled sympathetically. "Your friends are not dead, Percy. They have merely been taken. Accept the quest and you will get them back."

Percy immediately sat up straight and turned to face the god. "Who sent that? Is it reliable?"

"I cannot tell you who sent it, but the source is definitely reliable. Trust me, Percy."

Percy nodded. "I will, but you better not be lying to me."

He winked at Percy. "Oh, don't worry, Agent."

Percy didn't even bother asking how he knew. He was the god of communication, after all. "Tell me more about this quest thing. How do I get one?"