The Recruit (Percy Jackson Avengers Crossover)

Chapter 10

The Avengers stared shell-shocked at the TV. They had never seen so much destruction and death ever before, and they had been through a war. Steve had been through two, but none of that had prepared them for Percy's flashback.

"Holy crap..." Tony thought as the TV flickered off. "How the heck did that happen? Did that really happen? How didn't we know about this?"

They all shared sad looks, remembering what had just been on the TV.

Suddenly, Percy sat bolt upright, gasping, breaking the hold Steve had kept on him.

"Woah, kid. Relax, you're safe." Steve reassured the still-shaking Percy as he pulled him into a comforting hug. The team watched for a moment before joining in the hug.

"Wha-what h-happened?" Percy stuttered, wiping the tears from his swirling sea green eyes.

"You were having a flashback." Bruce gently answered, rubbing Percy's back. "Something must have triggered it."

Percy quitely answered, "My friends name, P-Piper. Clint said her name for, a cake? It reminded me..." Natasha sent Clint an evil glare.

"Aye," Thor agreed, "It reminded you of the giant war."

Percy looked shocked at that. "How did you know that?"

Tony awkwardly cleared his throat, "I developed a technology that converts brain waves into electrical pulses that then allow the processor to-"

"-Woah!" Percy interrupted, "I don't need an explanation, just what it does."

Tony gave a bashful smile. "It lets us see your dreams, or in this case, flashback."

Percy's eyes darkened. "What did you see?" He demanded in a low voice.

Clint, surprised by his sudden change in demeanor quickly answered, "Everything, all of those people dying, and you fighting."

"Those people?" Percy asked, his voice dangerous.

Natasha rubbed the back of her neck, "Yeah? People. Who were they anyway?"

Percy angrily responded, "Those people are the best heroes to ever live. We fought the giants and mother earth herself. We fought hundreds of battles, killed thousands of monsters, and saved millions of lives. They are not people they are demigods, heroes, and MY FRIENDS!" His voice was unconsciously rising in volume and heat. "They are the best demigods to ever live! And they were taken away from their families and friends! They will never have the life that was intended for them!" Percy, now on an emotional ride continued, his voice becoming sadder and sadder. "I watched them die. I couldn't save them. I couldn't help them when they needed me most. And-and... I couldn't save my Wise Girl." Now full out sobbing, he continued. "I was going to propose to her, and we both knew it... now she's gone. She died in my arms, making me promise to move on from her." He brokenly sighed. "But how can I move on from the girl I was destined to marry? To save the world and create a family with? To grow old and die peacefully with?"

The Avengers, stunned at his emotional rant, could do nothing but quietly stare as the young hero slowly shattered in front of them. And they were powerless to stop it.

"I will not let this boy be tortured by the deaths of his friends." Thor decided, moving closer to Percy and pulling him into a tight hug.

Steve sighed, "This kid is going to be the death of me." He thought, his heart was literally breaking in two for this poor kid.

"Hey, buddy," Tony began, taking a deep breath, "I'm really, truly sorry for what happened to you.... But please, just try to get some actual sleep. We can talk more about this in the morning." At the mention of sleep, Percy's eyes flashed with fear. Tony, catching this look continued, "If you have a nightmare, I'll be right here. You don't need to worry." Percy relaxed into his bed and gave Tony a slow nod in compliance. Tony relaxed, maybe he'll be alright.