Aquaman? Whoops, Wrong Universe: A Percy Jackson Marvel Crossover

Chapter 23: Annabeth

Annabeth was losing her mind. She couldn't believe that this was the second time in a year that her boyfriend had gone missing and lost his memory. At least the first time, she had some confirmation that he was semi-okay, what with Grover's empathy link. The moment she had learned from Stark and Barton that Percy was most definitely not okay, Annabeth had sent an Iris Message to Grover, hoping he would have some insight on to where he was. 

"Grover," she had addressed him tersely.

"Oh! Hey, Annabeth!" he had replied, grinning when he heard her voice and turned around, but then his face fell as he watched her expression. He was wearing a denim jacket over a "Save the trees!" t-shirt along with some sweatpants, and he was finally starting to grow into his goatee. He stood in a wide open atrium filled with vivid green plants of what Annabeth assumed to be Aiethales, Meg's newly renovated home. 

He bleated. "Oh no. What's wrong?"

Annabeth launched into the retelling of what had happened (According to the Avengers. Which, Annabeth figured, was a pretty reliable source). With each word, Grover looked sadder and sadder. 

He bleated again. "I just reached out with my link. There's... nothing. I can't sense him at all. It's like Percy's just... gone."

Annabeth sighed, wanting to break down into tears. "I...I figured. Thanks for trying, buddy."

"I'll come to New York! I'll help you guys track him down. Maybe my  link can help him remember, or—" Annabeth cut him off.

"Grover, you need to stay in Palm Springs. The nature spirits need you. You can't let them down."

"I know that. But... this is Percy we're talking about. My best friend. I can't just sit by."

"You said it yourself. The empathy link isn't working," Annabeth replied.

She didn't really know why she was trying to convince Grover to not come. He was a strong satyr. He was tough. And most of all, he cared very deeply about his friends. Maybe that was Annabeth's problem. Most of the time, she didn't struggle with watching friends go into battle alongside her.

But lately... after Tartarus, and with Jason, and now Percy... she didn't want to have to see another friend die. Annabeth had seen too much death in her short life. On top of that, Grover hadn't done much fighting since the trio's questing days. He was laserfocused on saving the wild, and rightfully so. It was his duty, and a huge one at that. Pan had specifically commissioned him to save nature, and Grover took that to heart. 

Grover looked for words, but couldn't seem to find any. "I just feel so guilty," he spluttered out. "I haven't been able to see any of you guys in a long time, since I've been so focused on the wild. And now, while my best friend is being mind controlled by a psychopathic organization, what am I doing? Watering flowers? I just want to help."

Annabeth wished she could hug him. It did seem like so long since they had seen each other. Annabeth was sick of the nonstop fighting. She really just wanted to be able to settle down, if only for a year. She wanted a break from monsters. From gods. She just wanted her Seaweed Brain. Nothing else seemed to matter anymore. Especially not after all she had been through. She was entitled to a peaceful life after 17 years of pain and suffering, wasn't she? Annabeth certainly thought so. 

"You're doing what you should be. The dryads and naiads and all the -ads need you to look up to. That's something me or Percy could never do. You're their hope. I'll handle Percy. Besides, I have help."

Grover nodded reluctantly, brown eyes looking down cast. "O-okay, Annabeth. But I swear, if you need me, I'm there. I'll do the tree travel thing if I have to. Anything for you two."