Hi everyone! How are you guys? Long time no see! But I'm here to break that with Chapter 10!

Questions:

Pizza or fish and chips? Pizza definitely. I'm allergic to shellfish. (Spitfire303)

What are your favorite books, movies, and tv shows? Check out my bio. Most of them are there. (goddess of heroes and time)

If one day you were walking in the park and there was a kid you looked suspiciously like Tyson asking for a peanut butter sandwich, what would you do? Tough question. Hmm. I'd probably try to become his friend because if Tyson's there, Percy can't be far behind; and if Percy's there, Annabeth has to be nearby. (LastPower46)

When is this story? Before or after HoO? This story is semi-AU because I'm not including HoO events or characters (unfortunately they just don't fit in here). The story takes place in the spring after the Second Titan War. (LastPower46)

Meg the Patriot: I see what you mean about the song cx

Brief Recap (because it's been so long since I last posted):

In the last chapter, Amy Walker, a random person, wandered into Stark Tower. She then transformed into a raving lunatic, trying to kill Percy, Annabeth, and Tony. They tied her to a chair, just in case she went psycho again. She was let loose when she no longer showed signs or memory of what had happened earlier.

Now on with the story!

Chapter 10-Percy

Big, red headlines in big, bold letters scrolled across the wide screen television, too fast for my dyslexia to keep up.

A reporter flashed onto the screen wearing a dispassionate expression. "Thank you, Tom. Now listen as Amy Walker, a forty-one-year-old journalist for the New York Times, recounts her chilling tale of events."

The screen cut to the one and only Amy Walker, looking as pantsuity as ever. Her hair was slightly disheveled, like she didn't bother to fix it even though it'd been a day after her attack. Her eyes took on a misty quality and her voice shook when she started speaking. "I—I was walking home early from work to take my two beautiful, young children out to lunch when I was escorted inside the Stark Tower. Then, before I knew it, people were attacking me!"

Amy wiped her eyes with a cloth, putting on a believable display that she was distraught. I rolled my eyes in incredulity.

"I was trying to protect myself, when one of them came at me with a sword!" Amy continued. "Then they tied me to a chair. Can you believe that? I faked unconsciousness so I could try to figure out why they were torturing me and interrogating me. While they were preoccupied, I barely escaped with my life."

Then the stoic reporter replaced the sobbing lady. "Another incident was reported just days before Amy Walker's shocking story. A bystander stated that he saw Hawkeye and Black Widow kidnapping a minor. Do these accounts coincide, or is it something else entirely? Listen in for information at six. And that's all for: Avengers: Helping or Hurting? on New York City's number one news station."

The screen cut to a commercial about watermelon (you're welcome, Protagonist Of Life), and we all shared equally grim looks. Except Tony, who wore a smirk. "Well look at that. Our fame is returning. All we needed was a scandal."

Pepper cast him a dark look. "Not helping. What we need is some good press—"

"Well I'm not saving any kittens in trees if that's what you're hoping for." Tony interrupted.

"What's more important?" Annabeth countered. "Good press, or saving the U.S."

"That rhymed," I pointed out.

Annabeth glared at me. It really was nice to see her again, even if she still thought I was annoying. "Anyway, it's a one-way street we're on. If there's nobody left in America, then press won't matter, good or bad. If we all get through this, we can deal with that later. Our first priority is figuring out a way to stop the entire United States from becoming a battle ground."

"What happens if people just randomly go psycho? Like that Amy lady. We can't just fight innocent people." This was the part I'd been dreading most. It was one thing to fight monsters. Heck, I did that all the time. But random mortals? It was against my moral code to harm innocents. Our weapons didn't even work on them. Crap. Forgot about that.

"Yes we can." Natasha said matter-of-factly. She reminded me a lot of Annabeth, only redheaded and older. They both had that intense drive that both freaked me out and left me in awe.

"I hurt people for a living," she continued, "and if that's what we have to do to set this straight, then I'm in."

Steve looked conflicted and on edge. I'd heard a while ago that they'd fished him out of the ice somewhere, frozen in time since the forties. If this whole thing ended well, I'd have to try to find Nico and introduce the two of them.

"My duty is to fight for America," Steve started, "not against it. If this is the only way to win this battle, then I'll help in any way I can, without harming citizens."

"Perfect." Annabeth said, grinning. "You can go with Percy to hunt down Eris."

We all looked at her.

"What?" She said. "How did you think this was going to end? All the people chickening out and stop fighting? No. This won't stop until everyone is dead. Unless we get to Eris. And I think you and Percy are best for the job. Quests usually require three companions, but this is no ordinary quest. The rest of us are needed here, to hold things off."

"But why just New York?" Bruce interjected. "Eris said she wanted to take over the whole world, right?"

"I can guarantee that she'll start here. It's where Olympus is."

Nobody thought to question her, all processing through the new information.

"Whoa whoa whoa." I held up my hands in a time-out gesture. "Eris said she'd hurt my family—my mother, Annabeth—if I didn't cooperate. I'll be no use going with you Steve. I'd never be able to let her hurt my family."

Steve stepped forward. "All the more reason for me to go. I left all my loved ones back in the forties. She'll have no one to hold over me."

"I know you'll make the right decision, Percy, when the time comes," Annabeth consoled.

I truly did not want to go. I'd never been more against a quest in my life and that's saying something. I do see what Annabeth means though. Sure Steve has fought in a war, but never one against a goddess. I needed to help him along, show him the ropes, if you will, of a demigod quest.

I nodded, albeit hesitantly. "I guess. But where do we start? Eris could be anywhere?"

"Gettysburg."

Everyone's heads swiveled toward Clint.

"What? Fury had his dream there, remember? I don't know about you, but that seems like a good place to start."

Annabeth looked confused, which was a first. "What dream?"

I quickly filled her in on all that had happen with both Fury's and my dream.

After contemplating over the new information, she nods. "That'd be wise. Gettysburg was the bloodiest battle of the US Civil War, only makes sense that the goddess of battlefield bloodshed would hang out there."

While they continued their discussion, I noticed something out of the corner of my eye. Moving toward one of the tower's many windows, I gestured for everyone else to gather round. "Houston we have a problem."

Then the intercom crackles to life. "Sir, riot out front."

"Thanks, JARVIS," Tony replies, almost in a fog, while gazing out, hundreds of feet below, at the angry mob growing increasingly in the streets just outside the tower.

Thank you for reading! I'm really starting to get into this story. I think I have some great plans in the works and, for the first time, I actually have a clue as to where this is going.

If you have any questions, praise, constructive criticism, or whatnot please feel free to PM me or review. Also don't be shy to favorite or follow! You guys are great and it feels so cool that a lot of you are invested into this story.

Again, thanks for reading! Hope you enjoyed and see you next time!