Chapter 16: Playing with New Toys!

As Percy was walking towards the archery range, a black shadow fell across him. Yo, boss! he heard in his mind. Did you bring me any donuts?

Percy grinned as he looked up, seeing the black pegasus fly over him. "Not this time Blackjack. I've been a bit busy." His heart soared as he watched his friend fly. Ever since the Giant War, the pegasus had been recovering in the hands of Chiron. He hadn't even seen him fly since the final battle at Camp Half-Blood.

You always say that! Blackjack complained. He landed and trotted to a stop a few yards away and Percy walked over, stroking his neck.

"Yeah well, I'm always in life-or-death situations."

So, boss, who're the mortals? Blackjack's question reminded Percy that the Avengers were still behind them. He turned and saw them all looking at the pegasus in awe. He'd already told Clint, Nat, and Steve about pegasi, but seeing is believing.

"They're friends. Guys, this is Blackjack. He's a good friend of mine, saved my life multiple times."

Steve walked forward slowly, and Blackjack cocked his head curiously. Everyone jumped when he suddenly trotted over to him and shoved his muzzle into his face. Steve just froze and let Blackjack conduct his investigation. The pegasus then backed away and looked at Percy, bobbing his head. I like this one! Percy chuckled. "Figured you would."

"Percy... are you... talking to Blackjack?" Bruce asked. Steve was still recovering from Blackjack's inspection as the pegasus moved on to Tony. Percy sniggered.

"Poseidon created horses. Being his son, I can speak to horses, zebras, pegasi, etc. Blackjack just sort of adopted me." He turned back to the pegasus. Blackjack was done studying all of the Avengers and turned back to him. Yo boss! Any quests coming up? Chiron's finally cleared me for long-distance flight!

Percy studied the Pegasus' side where Orion's arrow had hit him. He ran his hand through the short hair, wincing at the pronounced scar hidden beneath. If Reyna hadn't acted as fast as she did... Percy shook his head. He wasn't going to think about it. Blackjack was alive and okay. That was all that mattered.

"Maybe, bud," he answered. "I don't want to push you too hard."

Blackjack neighed in protest but didn't argue. He flew off and Percy smiled. Maybe he would take Blackjack along on this one. It would keep Zeus from blasting him out of the sky at least. Mrs. O'Leary might be a little faster...

"Umm, Percy?" Tony interrupted his thoughts. "Target range? Arena?"

Percy shook his head to clear his thoughts and nodded to Tony. He continued to the archery range where, as luck would have it, Chiron was just finishing advanced archery class with the Apollo cabin.

He led the Avengers to the emptier area and gestured at the targets.

"Try not to maim anyone. You'll lose dessert privileges." Percy winked.

PSPSPSPSPSPSPSPSPSPSP

Steve could see Clint's face relax as he pulled his bow into his hand. He grinned and shifted his shield into position, preparing to throw it. Nat had a knife in one hand, gun in the other. Tony was suited up. Percy...

Steve searched for the teen and finally found him leaning on a tree ten yards away. "Not going to join us?" Steve called.

Percy grinned. "I've been banned from archery. I'm kind of hopeless. Some Apollo kids have agreed to help out though." Steve didn't like the mischievous grin that Percy wore. "Figured it would make things interesting."

Several campers were walking over. Steve recognized Will from the night before approaching with two other demigods.

"Hey guys," the blonde demigod called. "This is Austin, Kayla, and Cassia, also Apollo kids. They're some of the best archers in camp." Steve studied the new demigods. Austin barely looked thirteen and had chocolate skin, brown eyes and dark hair with cornrows. Kayla looked about the same age with blue eyes and red hair, though it had been dyed bright green in places. Cassia was short, had platinum blonde hair and blue eyes and looked to be about fifteen. All three carried bows and wore quivers with an air of confidence that told Steve they knew what they were doing.

"Where's your bow?" Tony asked Will.

The teen shrugged. "I'm decent, but I've always been better at healing. Apollo's the god of archery, healing, the sun, prophecy, music, poetry, etc. His kids can have a wide variety of skills."

Steve caught Clint eyeing the new demigods competitively. He groaned. Things were about to get interesting alright. Before anything could happen, he turned towards one of the older targets. He threw his shield and watched as it ricocheted of the wood, damaging it badly, and tracked its flight. The extra weight changed it's trajectory slightly, but Steve could adjust easily.

After he'd gotten used to his shield's new weight (and demolished several targets) he allowed Nat to practice throwing her daggers and her guns. Tony tested his repulsors and reduced several targets to charred ash.

Then Clint stepped up. He shot three arrows in rapid succession. All of them slammed into targets' bullseyes. The SHIELD agent looked expectantly at the Apollo campers. Here we go.

Each stepped up to the mark. Austin shot first. His arrow split Clint's and broke through the back of the target. Kayla shot two arrows at the same time. Both hit the bulls-eye on opposites of Clint's arrow. Cassia locked eyes with Clint, fired three arrows, and each split the other less than a second apart. She smirked at him. Steve's eyes widened at the skill the teens displayed. He knew that Clint had been holding back, but now it was "no holds barred".

Some campers had stopped to watch after the first few shots. Percy beckoned a few forward and they raced to move the intact targets farther back. Once they'd gotten another 100 yards away, Cassia called for them to stop. Then she shot an arrow in a high arc, and everyone traced its flight path as it soared high into the sky. When it finally hit the target, it was embedded in the top of another arrow that she had just shot. Kayla turned and did a backbend, resting her head on the ground before she shot. Austin performed a flip and shot while in midair. Clint shot an arrow in an arc like Cassia had, but then used another arrow to change its course so that it pierced the bulls-eye.

This continued on for at least thirty minutes. It soon became obvious that Clint and Cassia were the better archers. The two kept shooting for nearly an hour and the crowd had grown to the point where Steve was positive that the entire camp was watching. He could see Travis and another camper moving through the mass of people taking bets. Chiron finally intervened when they had progressed to no-look shooting at pinecones that campers were chucking into the air from three hundred yards away.

"Alright you two. I think you've proven that you're both exceptional archers. Now can we please stop so certain campers can continue with their classes." The old centaur gave a pointed look to the crowd and it dispersed quickly.

Cassia came up with her siblings. She extended her hand and Clint quickly shook it. "Nice shooting," he said.

The girl grinned. "You too. But next time you're in camp, we're going to figure out who's the best. That cool with you?"

Clint grinned. "I'll be sure to clear my calendar."

The three demigods walked away, and Steve sighed in relief. He'd thought they'd never stop. "Thanks, Chiron," he said as the centaur joined them.

"Think nothing of it Captain," Chiron replied, giving Steve a warm smile. "Though that little competition did raise the camp's opinions of you five considerably. Some weren't entirely sure of your abilities."

"That was my plan all along," Percy said triumphantly.

Natasha snorted. "Bull! You just wanted to see who'd win!"

Before Percy could respond Chiron cut in. "Percy, weren't you going to take them to the arena next? I believe Clarisse would appreciate a turn challenging the Avengers. Besides, I think you've exhausted your options here, and I need to get the cleaning harpies working on new targets."

Steve winced as he looked at the dozen or so destroyed targets that were either smoking or covered in dents and arrows. "Yeah sorry about that," he said bashfully.

"It's quite alright Captain. It's a regular chore around here, especially when the Hunters come to camp."

Percy laughed at that, before beckoning for the others to follow him. "Come on. I haven't practiced in a while and I need to put Clarisse in her place."

PSPSPSPSPSPSPSPSPSPSP

"Come on!" Annabeth whispered as she wiggled her makeshift lockpick. "Just unlock already!"

She'd finally recovered from the poison's painful effects an hour ago. Sweat was still dripping off her face. She found the locking mechanism and almost had it before a wave of pain shot out of her shoulder. Her right hand flinched. She groaned in frustration.

She rested her head against the back wall and took several deep breaths. If she didn't relax her muscles she'd never get the lock undone. She focused on slowing her breathing. Gradually she felt her heart rate slow and her muscles stopped trembling. She nearly fell asleep when another shot of pain raced through her. The poison's effects had lasted the entire morning, by her estimations. She hadn't been able to sleep with the pain.

Annabeth shuddered as she remembered the agony of the last few hours. She'd had worse, but it still wasn't a pleasant experience. The poison had traveled through her body rapidly, setting her nerves on fire. If that was just a scratch, she didn't want to know how much pain Travis and Connor had been in when...

She sighed. Too many lost. She closed her eyes and finally stopped fighting off the exhaustion that had been plaguing her. She didn't care about dreams. She just needed rest.

PSPSPSPSPSPSPSPSPSPSP

Percy smiled cheekily as he parried his opponent's sword. James growled back in frustration as they disengaged. The nineteen-year-old son of Ares was one of the more skilled swordsmen in camp, but Percy was still the best. He took advantage of the demigod's temper and allowed the teen to rush him before locking Riptide at the base of James' blade and twisting it. The sword clattered to the ground and Percy whipped Riptide up to James' throat, panting slightly. The fight had lasted several minutes, and wearing full armor was always slightly tiring.

He heard some applause coming from behind him and he turned. He gave a mock bow before grinning at the Avengers. He turned back to James and shook his hand, giving him a small nod before walking back to the sidelines. He grabbed the cup of water Bruce handed him and dumped it over his head, enjoying the energy that raced through his body as he did. He turned back to the team.

"Alright so who wants to go..."

"PRISSY!" Clarisse's voice echoed across the arena and Percy grinned. He turned and faced the daughter of Ares as the stalked towards him with her spear, Maimer/Lamer. She was in full battle armor.

"Nice to see you too, Clarisse" he said politely. "Looking for a rematch from last week?" Percy's grin widened when he saw her face go slightly pink. He'd beaten her soundly in front of the entire Ares cabin and he knew Travis and Connor had teased her for it repeatedly, from a safe distance.

"Not today," she said. She then turned to Steve. "What about you, soldier? Care to have a go?"

Percy watched as Steve's eyebrows lifted slightly. "Why not?"

The two walked out into the middle of the now-empty arena. It had cleared the second the other practicing campers had realized Clarisse was challenging someone. They faced each other, each bringing their weapons into position, Steve with his shield and Clarisse with her spear. Percy stepped forward. "Alright, fight will continue until one person is defeated. Clarisse remember your spear won't pierce him. Steve, your shield can hurt demigods now. Just something to keep in mind. Both combatants ready?" Both of them gave him a nod. "Then... Fight!"

Percy quickly backed up as Clarisse barreled forward immediately, as he knew she would. She thrust her shield at Steve's right thigh but was met with empty air as he danced aside. He retaliated with a right cross, but Clarisse managed to duck out of the way, sweeping the soldier's legs out from under him. He rolled away from her next thrust, coming to his feet. He drew his new dagger and quickly parried Clarisse's next jab. His arm went numb and he was forced to drop it. "Electric?" he asked.

Clarisse grinned smugly. "Yeah." She thrust her spear at his face, but he used his shield to deflect it, causing her to lose her balance when she met no resistance. He took the opportunity to drive his shield into her chest to send her stumbling away from him and onto her back. He jumped to forward and grabbed Maimer, quickly throwing it aside along with his shield.

Clarisse rose and was met with Steve in a boxing stance. She mirrored him, and both circled each other. After a few experimental jabs, Steve went on the offensive, and threw three quick jabs at her face. She blocked all of them and managed to land a kick in his stomach. Steve quickly retreated, and she followed.

More punches and kicks followed, but neither of them could land more than a few glancing blows. After nearly five minutes, Steve managed to grasp Clarisse's forearm. Percy knew what was going to happen a second before it did. Before she could yank her arm away, Steve pivoted and judo-flipped Clarisse into the dirt behind him. A large Clang! echoed as her armor slammed against the ground. Percy winced in sympathy. Annabeth had done the same thing to him last year. Steve quickly straddled Clarisse and placed his arm at her throat. "Yield?" he asked.

Clarisse nodded. "I yield."

Steve quickly stood and extended his arm to help her up. The watching campers erupted into applause. Percy joined them, glad that Steve had been able to hold his own. If he'd lost... it wouldn't have looked good.

As Steve walked back over Percy could hear the crowd whispering and looking at him with surprise. Clarisse was one of the camp's best hand-to-hand fighters, and the fact that Steve had taken her down had said a lot about the mortals' skill. That combined with the shoot-off from earlier had boosted the campers' confidence at the Avengers' abilities to face monsters.

Percy grinned. Koios wasn't going to know what hit him.