Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Eagle's Path || a PJO/AC Crossover

Chapter 23: London - England

Percy POV:
Here we were, London. The home of many Queens and Kings; Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth the 1st and 2nd, and King George (who of course demanded for the arrests and hanging of pirates, INCLUDING Edward Kenway's crew). As we got close to the starboard, everyone was mesmerized by the beautiful sight of London, even Elizabeth as she was merely expressionless most of the time. Looking around, London really was more than a big clock tower. Ships were porting and deporting out of the Thames, stealth black cars that merely looked the same, and skyscrapers that looked WAAAY better than New York.
Judging by Annabeth's expression, I guess she REALLY loved the view, but I guess that's the result of Architecture. She kept pointing around at anything she saw; Big Ben, City Hall and Shard, Saint Paul's Cathedral, Buckingham Palace, the Royal Opera House, really anything that caught her eye. But when I looked at Leo, the only thing he seemed interested in was the Ferris Wheel. "Oh guys"! He exclaimed, "can we go on the Ferris Wheel"?!
"Leo, we are not here to have fun" Annabeth replied, "we're just here to meet up with Emily and Elizabeth's contacts, find a clue to point us towards the Bow, and get out of here before we attract either Templar or Monster attention".
"Aw. But I would've wanted to mess with the motor and make it go faster...". He pouted, a flame bursted on one of the ends of his hair.
"Indeed, if the Templars are very strong here in London, then we are outnumbered. I suggest we remain incognito, and keep our heads down for now" Elizabeth spoke. "Now where shall we land"? Scanning around, I really didn't see that many places for the Argo to land, not in any gardens or rooftops as there were occupied or unable to land on. "Ah, over there" Emily pointed out, at an abandoned rickety old dock, where miss was growing into the wood as it made contact with the water. "Are you sure about that"? Jason asked.
"Yes, I'm sure. The way I see it, no other place for this ship to land on".
"Alright, well if she says so, I say so" Annabeth spoke, "besides, it appears to not be that old, and it will support our weight and hold the Argo in place".
"Alrighty then, I'll land her there. IF, we get to ride the Ferris Wheel" Leo exclaimed.
"Not a chance".
"Okay".
Leo walked backed towards the helm, and as he used the Wii controller and wheel, the ship had slowly descended towards the docks. As by the corner of my eyes, I saw Emily, with a frightened expression, she stood motionless as the ship descended, with one hand on the starboard railing, and one of the harness' ropes. "Hey Emily"? I asked. "Hm"?
"Is... Everything okay"?
"Huh", she turned her head to face me, "oh, um... Yeah... I'm alright".
"Are you sure? With a deep exhale, she rubbed her eyes once more. "Um, actually Percy. There is something I need to talk about. But... I feel it would be more proper to say it when we meet up with my contact". With a slight nod, I replied "okay". And with a sudden large splash, the Argo had landed, and docked. The oars retracted, and we've gotten close enough to hop off on the Gangplank. Well... Even though the dock was creaking, nearly rotten, at least Annabeth was right about it holding our weight as we all stood on the dock.
"Whew, at least this isn't breaking" Jason said. "Oh you big baby" Piper jokingly replied, Jason's arm around her shoulder. Walking off the dock, as we made our way above ground, Emily questioned "are you sure that nobody's gonna notice the large flying ship that just landed in the Thames"? "No" I replied, "mortal people can't see what we see".
"Why not"?
"Mist".
"What? How can something that big be missed"?
"No no no, not that kind of 'missed'. You see, for gods and Monsters, their scents are powerful that it creates a thing called Mist. It kind of acts like real mist; it hides the truth from Mortals that gods, Monsters and Demigods walk amongst them. It's so powerful that it can sometimes affect Demigods too to not see enough" I explained. "Huh, that's smart. But why didn't it affect me and Izzy"? That... Was a good question. "I... Don't know". "Alright". As we finished walking up the stairs, we got up to street-level, where people passed by, and cars, cabs, police, and a few Double-Decker buses drove around. "Wow" Hazel said, "so THIS is London, huh"? "Yes it is. The very home of legendary Assassins Jacob and Evie Frye". Spoke Emily.
"Yep, but also the home of the Blighters and Templars" I said.
"Wait, so you mean the old gang, the Blighters are still here"? Frank asked.
"Yeah, I guess old habits never die. That's one of the reasons the Templars are still powerful here. The Blighters deal drugs, arms, and some of them are even Ex-Mercenaries-for-hire, professionals while at it. All that money is transferred to the Bank Accounts of Abstergo agents, and they use that money to fund Abstergo" Emily explained. "Impressive system if I must say" Annabeth exclaimed, "but still amateur nonetheless". Taking a look around, I don't think that talking about 'drugs', 'gangs', and 'arms' weren't the right thing to do, as I noticed a couple of policemen around the corner, wearing their uniform with the yellow and white vests. Emily thought the same thing. "Hey guys, I don't mean to be in a rush, but I think that we'd get through London faster if we meet up with my contact, and possibly with Shaun and Rebecca". "Well I don't believe flying around in the Argo is the best way to do so" Annabeth pointed out, "so I believe we should get a mode of transportation. Where's your contact"?
"Lambeth, Lollard Street, in an alleyway".
"It's quite a while to get there, and we're in Southwark. It might take a while to get there on foot. So I believe we find a van or something". "Oh, are you suggesting we steal a car"? Elizabeth questioned. "Some of us have stolen a few cars in my life before, it is no different here, right"? I said, whilst everyone raised a brow, and Emily and Elizabeth instead narrowed theirs. "No different"? Emily had Exclaimed, "if you get caught, the police will obviously cuff you, throw you in jail, and throw away the keys as always. No stealing".
"Well what are we supposed to take"? Piper asked, and by mere coincidence, one of the Double-Deckers at pulled over by where we were. Confusing at first, only until we all noticed we were actually standing right next to a bus stop. People were beginning to board and step out of it. And with no other option of a ride, this was the only option we had. Averting our gazes towards the bus and the people, I sighed. "...I'll pay". "Well, good enough for me" Leo said, as he rushed towards the bus with his bag "I GET TO SIT UP TOP"! Hearing that left us with a chuckle, as we walked onto the bus, I counted the money necessary for all of us, "just hope they accept US dollars". At least the gods individually gave each gave us money and Drachmas for the quest. Now, as we boarded and I paid for our ride, we could might as well sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride for a little while...
***50 Minutes Later***
After a long ride on the bus, with a couple traffic jams, stops, and multiple people boarding and getting off, we finally made it to Lambeth. Trying to feel my legs again after a while, we grabbed our bags and walked out at the stop. "Jeez" Frank exclaimed, "that was a while was it"? "But at least we're here" Emily pointed out. The streets of Lambeth would've been perfect by Annabeth's perspective. She even pointed out that some of those brick buildings and apartments have been around for nearly two-hundred, three-hundred years ever since the American and Industrial Revolutions. Not really why, but looking around in this place kind of gave me the creeps, like this was some sort of area for... homicides. "Come on". Elizabeth spoke, pointing towards an open alleyway on the right, across the street down Lollard Street. Nobody was around, though. "That's where our contact as".
"You've never even told us who he, she, they are though" Annabeth spoke.
"Don't worry, we assure you, they wouldn't hurt a fly. Well, the can, but they're loyal nonetheless" Emily said.
"Mhm" was her only response.
As we made our war towards the alleyway, I averted my gaze towards the ground. Seeing the very shadows of the buildings themselves, chimneys shooting out smoke as it rose into the air; hard to believe people still use chimneys nowadays. I probably should've looked up to avoid getting into an accident. But, what stood out to me out of everything about the shadows, and made me stop in my tracks, was a figure of a man... Unusual to me, as I thought it could've been some guy working on the shingles of the roof, except THIS guy, was wearing a top hat, a large heavy coat the went all the way to his ankles, and in his hand was a dagger, and it was stippling something, like water, or blood. Turning my head up, I could barely make out the figure as the sun shone almost directly into my eyes, but, he was there! Above on the rooftops was a man wearing the coat, top hat, and the dagger in his left hand. Even his legs were visible as the sunlight shone behind him. No doubt it was a human. Only thing was; I couldn't see who it was. Squinting, to get the sunlight out of my eyes, I tried to make out who that person was.
'HONK', 'HONK'
Only until I heard the blasting horn of a car, to make me turn and see I was in the middle of the street, blocking a few cars as one guys began to honk at me. "OI! BOY, MOVE"!!! He honked once more. "PERCY" Annabeth called, as I saw Annabeth and the others near the alleyway entrance, "are you coming"?! Taking a deep breath, I replied "yeah, I'm coming! Sorry sir". Walking out of the street, the guy continued his day, and as I walked, so looked back up on the rooftop across the street, hoping to see the man once more. He was gone. Faded away like a ghost. Even as I blinked, he never returned there. 'Who was that guy'? I asked myself. Approaching the guys, Emily asked "Percy, are you okay"?
"Um, yeah. Just... Taking in the view". A smile came across her lips, and replied "alright, well come on, he's down here". Walking down the alleyway, I noticed that some of these alleyway shops were closed and put up for rent, it was very dark and cold, and a lot of graffiti was on the walls that were once clean, and as I looked at one of the many artworks, one stood out to me as it was a crow, with it's eyes narrow, beak opened, painted yellowish-green, and in it's claws was a knight chess piece with a Templar cross in it. Could it be... Guess I have to see it to believe it. As we walked down, everyone was getting chills, and we looked around for the contact. "Guys" Piper spoke, "I have a bad feeling about this place".
"Me too" Jason replied.
"Me three" Leo spoke, but I guess he wasn't putting it as a joke. Even he was getting shivers.
"Are you sure he's here"? Annabeth asked.
"Yes, I'm sure" Emily said, "I've met them multiple times. They're good pe-".
"WHOA, wait. They're"? Annabeth exclaimed. And at the exact moment, a guy who was sitting on a bench, wearing a black leather jacket and grey hoodie, it's skinny jeans and boots stood up, and stood behind us. And I saw the scars and bruises the guy had on his face. Just then, three more guys wearing sweatshirts, jackets, jeans and boots came out from the abandoned coffee shop, and in their hands were wooden bats, nothing more. A couple more guys came out from the opposite side of the guys, lifting up the garage doors and came out wearing denim jeans, vests, shirts, and boots came out, only to be armed with Beretta 92 pistols in their hands, and their palms over their armed ones. Before we knew it, we were surrounded. This HAD to be a setup. We were prepared for a fight, encircled as we prepared to grab our weapons, my hand close to unsheathing my hidden blade, and uncapping Riptide just in case. But Elizabeth and Emily were calm, their arms crossed as though they knew them, but I didn't believe it. "You're walking on our property" one of the men said, grinning, as he gripped his bat, "and you know what happens to people who walk into our property"?
"Same thing that's gonna happen to you"? Leo said. The guy gritted his teeth, making us wish Leo didn't open his mouth. Emily rolled her eyes, "hey! Calm down"! Emily spoke, a hand up surrender with the other in her pocket. "We're friendly. We just came here to meet up with our friend". "And who may THAT be missy"?
"HEY HEY HEY! What's going on here"?! A voice spoke. Turning to our right, we saw a man with light brown eyes, medium-length black hair that was pulled back into a ponytail, had gold earrings on both ears, had deep caramel-toned-skin, and had a short stubble. His choice of clothing was a black leather jacket, with a white button-up shirt, a black leather belt with the symbol of the crow embedded on the buckle, faded denim jeans, and black leather loafer shoes. He also had a patterned tattoo with the symbol of the Crow in black. The guy seemed both friendly enough, but strong enough too to take out a heavyweight boxer. "Um... We caught these people coming down the alleyway, and we wanted to... Um... Tell them to get out...". Oh yeah, sure. The mysterious man, gave a warm, hearty smile, not at us, but to Emily and Elizabeth. "How long has it been"? He asked. Emily and Elizabeth smiled back. "It's been too long" Emily replied, as the guy gave open arms to her and approached her. "It's good to see you again Emily".
"You too".
He let go of her, and gave another hug to Elizabeth. "It's great to see you guys again. Especially you, Elizabeth".
"Thanks".
He let go of her, and pointed towards his men, and said "stand down! If they can vouch for them, so will I". The gang member nodded, and he and the others backed off, back into the abandoned shops, and the guy behind us sat back down with his arms crossed. "So, who are these people, if I may so ask"? He asked Emily. "They're honest people, good fighters, and loyal to fight with us. Percy there is an Assassin like us" she pointed towards me. "He can be trusted". The man nodded, "alright. Well if you trust them, I trust them". "Thanks". He nodded once more, walked away from Emily, and approached us. "Ah, so you must be Percy, is that correct"? He let his hand out, and I shook it.
"Yeah" I replied.
"Percy... Jackson"?
We let go hands, and I raised a brow. "Yeah? How did you know". He gave a slight chuckle, as he remained smiling. "A lucky guess I presume. But don't think I don't read or watch the news". Well, it's easy to say he's another guy who knows what I did, or what he THINKS I did. "I-I'm sorry" Annabeth spoke behind me, "but, who exactly are you"?
"Ah, a question many people ask me. Allow me to introduce myself" the man responded, "I am Charlie, Charlie Green. And as you know, you have come into contact with my gang".
"Your... Gang"? Annabeth asked.
"Indeed" Charlie asked, "for who had just met, the Rooks". I knew it! I knew who this gang was, as Emily taught me about Victorian London, and the gang that Jacob and Evie led. Hard to believe they're still around. "The Rooks huh? They don't seem like the friendly type". Charlie slightly nodded to that, and replied "Yes well, they're not to kindly to 'unwanted' visitors around here.just give them time. And, if I may so ask, who might you and your friends be". He let out his hand to shake, only for Annabeth to keep her arms crossed, and her eyes on him. "Not really the sort to shake hands I see"? He let his hand down again. "I'm Annabeth Chase. This is Jason, Piper, Leo, Frank, and Hazel".
"Ah" he replied, "well then, welcome to Rooks! If I may ask, what are you all doing here to London"? Annabeth and the others remained silent, and Annabeth's eyes seemed to pierce through him. Emily then came to speak, "Charlie, dear? Is there a place we can speak in privacy"? Charlie turned his attention Emily, and with a nod he replied "yes, of course. Come. This way". He pointed towards a basement hatch that was next to the buildings, with the symbol of the Rooks' Crow. Following Charlie, some of his men were standing next to the doorway, with bats by their sides. And of course, they were locked. "Hey boss" one guy asked, "when are you gonna give me my ten percent raise"? Charlie laughed to the response, only to say "as soon as you get this door open and let these nice people in, we'll see".
"Hmph" replied the guy, as he grabbed a key out of his back pocket, and used it to unlock the doors. As Charlie pulled open the doors, there was a stairway down and was lit with a few hanging lightbulbs. And if you were quiet enough, you could hear music playing; a Piano with male vocalists singing to the Piano's tune.
"Slaves in seas of Soot we drown!
Come on down, to London Town!
The Cogs they creak and the Pistons pound!
Come on down to London Town!-"
"This is the Rooks' hideout"? Annabeth questioned, as Charlie entered. Charlie stopped in his tracks, to turn himself towards her, and spoke "well, if you were going to have a hideout in the middle of London, away from the Police, this'd be the way to do it", and he continued his path downstairs. "...good point". Everyone followed Charlie's path down, and down, we entered. The doors closing behind us.
~~~~~~~~~~~•~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N: so, here you go guys, I'm sorry if this is too long, but I really wanted to make this a good update since I will be going away to Moncton, NB for a couple of days tomorrow for School Clothes Shopping (you can see my update in the Conversation box in my profile, check it out). So if you like this, Vote, Comment, add to Reading Lists, and Follow me if you enjoyed this chapter. And... BYE-BYE!!!
(P.S. Can you guess who the guy was on the rooftop?)