Pathways

20 Percy

Tony does not know how to interact with children.

I had packed up a lot of my things that I would need in the avengers place. So I went downstairs to see my mom, Tony of course was required to follow. I don't know why, of all people, he came with me. He didn't help at all. His rich ass just sat on my couch and bickered at how small my apartment was. It's not like I have money, I didn't even go to college dude.

He met my mother and sort of flirted with her until Paul came home from work. My mother was worried of course. Now we were all sitting in the living room and Estelle had made it her duty to crawl all over Iron Man.

"I think she likes you," my mom comments. I plop a cookie in my mouth, my mother made white chocolate chip cookies and managed to find blue white chocolate chips. She is the best goddess to ever exist.

"Why?" Tony asks. He looks scared as Estelle starts to pull on his facial hair. She giggles a lot and has recently started talking up a storm. Shes a fast developer considering she's barely a year old. Most of her words were incoherant and didn't make sense but she is a happy kid and that's all that matters.

"She likes new people," I reply simply.

"When Percy was little he didn't like new people. He used to be so shy. Its was funny. But he was the same way, could talk your ear off," Mom explains. I respond with a loud groan. How much longer do I have to endure this pain and embarrassment?

"Ow ow," Tony says relying to pry the toddler off of him. I walk over and pick her up. I realized once she was born that it would be weird when she gets a bit older. I mean, I am 18 years older than my little sister. She could be my kid at this age gap. Not that I need any children anytime soon. Or ever. It's still a bit strange. But I love her, she will have such an amazing childhood, I'm going to make sure of it.

Tony and I set off back to the facility up state. Once we are in his sleek black car I ask, "can Annabeth and I share a room? I mean shes going off the college but when shes on break she will stay with me,"

"Sure kid, whatever," Tony says. One thing about Tony Stark, well two, he doesn't drive. We have a driver which is weird. And two, he doesn't pay any attention while he's on his phone.

But I do.

The driver, whom I don't know the name of, swerves the car while we are driving on a somewhat empty back road. To any mortal it would seem normal as it's raining buckets outside. But I saw the driver's eyes in the rear mirror. Gold. Bright gold. I curse internally as the monster pulls over on the side of the road.

"You picked a shit day to do die," I mumble before getting out of the car, pulling Tony out as well.

The billionaire looks at me bewildered, "what the hell kid?"

I choose to ignore him and face the Empousa. She is in an older body this time. A middle aged woman, with graying hair, wearing a bright blue pants suit. "I won't be the one dying Perseus," she seethes. Her manicured red nails grow into long talons and leathery wings form out of her back.

I uncap riptide without hesitation. I get into fighting stance and use the water from the rain to push Tony far back. I have no idea exactly what he is making from this but he may whitness me murder a random lady so thats fun.

"Its been a while Kelly. Got tired of the cheerleader life?" I ask, slowly stepping forward.

"I didn't think you would recognize me right away,"

"You have gold eyes idiot,"

Kelly laughs at that.  She lunges at me, baring her claws and using her wings to propel herself. I sidestep and run riptide across her stomach. Gold inchor seeps from it but it wasn't enough.

We run at eachother once again, but with her rage blinding her and the rain water giving me the upper hand, I was able to skewer her with my sword whist not even sustaining a scratch.

I sigh heavily, capping my pen. I stare at the gold dust in disgust. Good riddance you stupid monster.

Tony states at me in shock, a repulser on his hand aimed at my chest.

"I'm gonna stop you right there, no I did not just kill that lady. Well, I did. She wasn't a lady. She was a... hell creature. Possesses humans and what not. Nothing to worry about. I can drive,"

"That made no sense what so ever. And yeah she wasn't human! Jesus she had talons. And SHE EXPLODED INTO DUST ONCE YOU HIT HER WITH A PEN!" he yells frustrated.

I laugh at him, pushing him to the car. He probably thinks I'm absolutely insane. As easy as it is for me to stay dry and somewhat warm, he does not have that capability.

.

The car has been silent for a bit as I drive down the road. The speed is a bit too fast to be safe but it's fine. Tony is just staring at me, still in mild shock. I can tell his brain is running so fast, trying to rationalize what he witnessed.

I brush some of my hair out of my face and drum my fingers on the leather steering wheel. "That thing, was not a woman I promise. Its apart of a world that you, a mortal don't understand yet. And I can't risk telling you," I say, keeping my eyes glued to the road.

"She went full glitter bomb when you hit her with the pen," he replies.

I laugh. Man I have never heard it be described as going full glitter bomb. "Yeah things like her do that. I just want you to know that I'm not the bad guy,"

"And you still don't want to tell me what the hell that was?"

"Let me talk to Annabeth first. She always knows what to do,"