The Reluctant Hero

Crashing the beach party of one.

A/n:

I am very, very, very, very, very, very, very sorry for my prolonged absence. I've been crazy busy and, sadly, just not gotten around to writing (sorry). And, even worse, I have my end of year assessments coming up so I'm going to be revising more than is strictly healthy so I apologise in advance for any more late updates.

I would also like to say that from now on I should update AT LEAST once a month and if I do fall behind BADGER ME. Send me comments and messages and posts, anything. As long as I'm reminded I will get around to it. Promise. :)

Now I hope you like this chapter (I have to say I'm quite proud of the title). :D

Percy P.O.V

I couldn't believe those cosplay wannabes are considered 'the world's mightiest heroes'! I mean come on! I knew seven-year-olds who were harder, stronger, braver and who had saved the world more times than those ignorant mortals.

It took me a disappointingly long time to deal with them though. Since A- they -died I'd let my training slip slightly, nothing drastic but enough to bother me, I'd have to rectify that.

They knew where to find me in New York so I moved out to Montauk to try to evade them for a while. I was on the beach when I saw them. Well, sensed them.

After the war and my...promotion, my powers had gotten much stronger. I'd decided to ignore and lock away my godly side mostly, I had such strict control over it that my powers only showed themselves when I was really emotional. But back to the point (becoming a God had not gotten rid of my ADHD), with this increase in power I could sense the water particles in the air and through that I could tell where everything was. For instance, I was lying by the sea with my eyes closed, yet I still knew exactly how far away the cabins were and where the trees were, even the crab scuttling along the shore front 3 metres to my right.

Anyway, I used this power to sense if anyone was approaching. The aftermath of the war had, among other things, greeted me with slight (OK, not so slight) paranoia, so I always had this 'sense' up just in case. That day on the beach, my paranoia was proved necessary.

I kept my eyes closed as I addressed the approaching cos-players, "You lot really don't take the hint do you?" They hesitated in their approach when I spoke. "If it didn't work once, do you really think it will work this time. I mean, I know I wasn't at my best the other day, but really? This is just desperate." I almost laughed when I sensed them glancing at one another nervously.

'The world's mightiest heroes' being intimidated by a teenager lying on the beach with his eyes closed!

"We don't want to hurt you, kid." I didn't bother suppressing by laugh as the one who I remembered wore an American flag called out to me.

"Judging by your performance last time, I doubt you can." I could feel the one in the air getting annoyed and moving about more.

"Please, kid. Just come quietly and nobody has to get hurt." He spoke as if he was addressing a wild animal who was likely to change moods and lash out at any moment.

That was pretty accurate.

"Go away quietly and nobody has to get hurt." I sassed back. They didn't need to know my fragile mental state. For Olympus' sake, I even hid it from the Gods themselves, although the ones who knew me better had probably guessed.

The American flag sighed.

"OK. I tried, sorry Kid."
 I almost laughed again at the tone of his voice. It seemed those 'super heroes' still believed I didn't stand a chance. It was time to prove them wrong.