New York Heroes

X. . . Something?

Camp Half Blood

A brunette woman in a navy blue suit stood in front of a sleek metal skyscraper that had recently seen some damage. Winged demons flew overhead as she spoke into a microphone.

"I'm Sarah Orville with today's news," the woman announced. "I am reporting live from our new government's base of operations: the building formerly known as Stark Tower. As you know, a few days ago, King Loki and Lord Set appeared and defeated the vigilante group formerly known as the Avengers. They then went to work, quickly overtaking the city and setting up their own government. Today, they are hard at work protecting us civilians and improving this city. I personally believe that this is the best leadership our community has ever seen! What would we ever do without them? Back to you, Earl."

The Heroes were sitting in the Big House watching a news report. Leo had rigged up a Celestial Bronze shield that attached to an old TV that had been buried in the attic of the Big House. The shield allowed demigods to watch TV for a short period of time without attracting monster attention.

Jason groaned and turned the TV off. "Things are looking bad out there. The city's already in rough shape."

"We have to help them," Percy said, glaring at the blank television screen.

Steve sighed. "We can't. They defeated us the last time we tried."

"We could give it another shot," Leo suggested.

"But we're weaker than before," Frank said. "Charging in now would be tactical suicide."

"And based on the footage from the news report, their numbers have grown," Carter added.

"Well, aren't you all just a bright ray of sunshine," Sadie said, sarcasm dripping from her tone.

Carter sighed in exasperation. "We're just trying to be realistic."

"You're too grim. A little optimism wouldn't hurt!"

"In case you haven't noticed, we're in the middle of a hostile takeover!"

Sadie stood up. "Well, in case you haven't noticed-"

"Stop it!" Piper snapped. "Both of you!" She turned to Sadie, "And sit down!" The shocked siblings snapped their mouths shut. Sadie silently plopped down in her chair.

Piper started pacing as she spoke, "Like Carter said, we're in the middle of a hostile takeover. But arguing won't help us right now. We have to be realistic, but we also need to have hope that we can win this. Instead of fighting, take a moment to think of a plan we could use to beat them! I know it seems impossible, but we face impossible odds all the time! You guys have beaten Loki and Set before. Together, we can do it again! We just need to put our heads together and come up with a plan the enemy won't see coming."

Expressions throughout the room turned hopeful. Everyone thought for several minutes. Finally, Annabeth spoke up.

"I hate to burst your bubble," she said slowly, "but this might actually be impossible. We don't even know how the powers of these "mutants" work. I didn't even know they existed before today! Without that knowledge. . . I just don't think we can win."

"Well, then why don't we ask some mutants?" Hazel asked. "There have to be more than three on the face of the earth."

"Does anybody know how to find a mutant?" Jason asked. He was met with silence.

"I think I've seen something on the news about the X. . . something?" Tony said.

"X-People?" Frank suggested. Tony just shrugged.

Clint slowly shook his head. "I've heard the term before when I was on an assignment with S.H.I.E.L.D., but I don't know anything about them. Maybe S.H.I.E.L.D has a file on mutants?"

"Would they give it to us?" Frank asked. Clint grimaced.

"I could always hack their security system," Tony suggested.

"Is there a plan that doesn't involve stealing a classified file from a government agency?" Annabeth asked.

"We could try reasoning with Fury," Bruce said, "but I doubt it would work. None of us have a high enough security clearance."

"Would Chiron know about mutants?" Percy asked.

Everyone turned to Annabeth. She opened her mouth to answer, then hesitated. ". . . He might," she eventually said.

"Did he say anything when you told him about our fight?" Piper asked.

Annabeth looked troubled. "Yeah. He said, 'I haven't heard that term in quite some time'."

"So he has heard of them," Walt said.

"But that doesn't necessarily mean he understands their powers," Bruce added.

Chiron walked into the room. "Done watching already?" he asked, gesturing to the TV that by now had been nearly forgotten.

"Yes, quite. People are murdering each other, and the city's in shambles. Nothing new there," Sadie said. "So, what do you know about mutants?"

Carter coughed. "Smoothe." His sister shot him a glare.

"Well, they are humans whose genetics have mutated," Chiron said slowly.

"What causes these mutations? And approximately how many of them are there?" Bruce asked.

"What are the limits of their powers?" Steve joined in.

"And how do we shut them down?" Clint added.

Chiron frowned. "I'm afraid I'm not that knowledgeable on the subject."

"Do you know anyone who is?" Jason asked.

"Yes," the centaur replied. "There is a man who searches for mutants. He helps them understand their abilities and trains them to be heroes. I contacted him, and he's sending over a team."

"Are these the X-People?" Thor asked.

Chiron winced. "Well. . . the X-Men are busy defending their home at the moment. But he's contacted another capable team of mutants in the area."

"Capable? Please! The author just sent us here to add some humor to the story!" An unfamiliar voice called from the doorway. "Everyone turned to find a man in a red and black spandex suit standing in a provocative pose," the stranger continued. "'Is it Spiderman?' they briefly wondered before realizing that Peter Parker isn't in this Avengers fanfic!"

Percy glared at the newcomer. "Who are you?"

The man giggled, turning to the readers. "The other characters don't know who I am yet, but I'm sure Steve and I will get along great in the next chapter!"

Steve frowned, confused. "What?"

The mutant ignored him. "And the author wants you guys to vote, comment, be heroic, yada, yada, yada. Whatever."

Frank stared at him. "What are you talking about?"

The man in red waved. "Well, I'll see you guys in the next chapter! Have fun until then!"