Demigods and Avengers

The 'Avengers' Or Something Like That

Annabeth's POV

One of the many problems with being a demigod is that mortal news travels very slowly with us. So whenever people talk about celebraties, like Jennifer Lawrence and Emma Watson and stuff, we know basically nothing about it.

You can imagine just how confused me and Seaweed Brain were when we were told that there were mortals who had powers and were superheroes.

The only two names I recognised were Tony Stark and Bruce Banner, and that was only because I'd read about their work, since they were scientists. Tony Stark was the guy in the suit thing... and Banner must be that guy who turns into a green rage monster sometimes.

But Black Widow? Hawkeye? What?

Poor Ned almost fainted when I told him I didn't know who they were.

I had decided that if we were going to pass for mortals, we might as well know about things like this, or it might just seem suspicious.

That night, me and Percy gathered as many old news articles about 'Avengers,' as Ned had called them. Turns out they'd saved the world from things like Ultron and this guy Loki. I couldn't place where I'd heard the latter name, but there was something familiar about it.

Percy actually found it really interesting.

"Hey! Look! Thats the arrow dude!" Percy told me. "Think he and Frank would get along?"

I shrugged. "I mean, possibly. Frank gets along with almost anyone anyway." Which was true. He and Hazel were probabaly the friendliest demigods I'd met.

"Hulk would definitly be better if we were blue."

I rolled my eyes. "Of course. What wouldn't look awesome in blue?" I replied sarcastically.

"Blue is awesome! Its the best colour ever" He replied.

"Please never go near Magnus." I mumbled.

"What?"

"Nothing."

We sat in a comfortable silence for a few miniutes.

"Who's your favourite?" Seaweed Brain asked.

"Black Widow. No explanation needed." I answered. I didn't even have to think about it. I guess it was because I could relate a bit to her. She was a trained spy, who could practically assassinate anyone. Sure, she couldn't turn into a green, angry monster, or summon lightning at will, but that didn't stop her from being awesome.

I'd always been a bit sensitive when people asked, "Woah! You were part of the Argo II crew! Can you charmspeak? Or control fire?"

Nope...

I'm just really smart. Then again, as a daughter of Athena, I know better than to think that power comes from stuff you control. I mean, sure, it's sure as hell useful in a fight, but strength always bows down to wisdom.

I smiled as I remembered the first time I told Seaweed Brain that. Just before his fight with Ares.

I looked over at him, watching as he tried to make out the words on the news paper. Without warning, I leaned forward and kissed his cheek. A goofy grin split across his face, and, although I rolled my eyes at the sight, I couldn't help grinning. It reminded me all too much of how we acted towards each other when we were 12.

I looked down at the book in my hands and the exhaustion from the day made my eyelids heavy. Mortal life might be nothing compared to quests and days at camp, but it was still definitely stressful.

A few miniutes later, I had my head resting on the table I  front of me, hearing a faint,"I love you, Wise Girl," before I allowed sleep to consume me.

.

.

.

"No. No, please! Don't! Please." My voice sounded strangled, as if something was squeezing it.

Flames curled around the old wood of cabin 6. Pieces of destroyed furniture and books lay scorched on the sickly black grass. What was left had crumpled to the ground, in a chaotic pile.

"Say goodbye to your home. And your friends. Your family" The voice sent shivers down my spine. It was the voice of something that had tortured me before. Tarturus.

I hadn't forgotten what his voice sounded like in the depths of... well... Tarturus.

"No, please..." I begged.

I felt around for my weapon. Nothing. And even if I did have one, it would be nothing compared to his power.

Then I saw something that made me want to break down and cry.

Percy was on the floor, a knife sticking out of him. My knife.

The one Luke had given me.

And there he stood. Luke, not Kronos. His eye colour was the same lovely, blue of the oceans as I had remembered.

"Hello, Annabeth. You didn't think you'd escape me did you? I'm your family. Nobody else." He spoke. His voice was raspy and had a cold edge.

"No. NO! PERCY! Don't leave me!"

Suddenly, I was on the edge of a cliff.

A cold wind knocked me off balance, making me fall straight down...

"Percy!" I yelled, just before I could hit the ground.

"Annabeth! Wake up!" I hear Percy yell.

He has his arms wrapped around my shoulders, his sea green eyes peering down at me, looking pained.

"It's okay... It was just a dream... I'm right here, ok?" He continues to whisper until I can down.

After I clear the shock of it all, I realised I had been screaming. A few tears glistened on my face, and I wiped them away.

I felt Seaweed Brain rub circles on my back, his touch soft and warm. I take in deep breaths, steadying myself.

"I- I'm okay. Bad dream. I'll be fine." I tell him.

"Yeah. I know. You're the strongest person I know, Wise Girl. But if you ever need me, I'm here for you. I love you." He told me, before getting up and returning with a glass of water.

I took it thankfully, drinking it in small sips.

It wasn't long before Percy and I were sat on the couch, a blanket shared between us, cuddling. He stroked my hair, and before long, we were both fast asleep.

No matter how hard anyone tried, I would not let anyone take my Seaweed Brain from me again.