Chapter 26
No One's POV
The blowing of the conch horns is what wakes Percy up from his nightmare. Three short and sharp blasts signalling an attack. He scrambles upright and hastily puts on his armour rushing outside. Most of them are gathered in the open space between the Cabins. Percy is pleased to notice that the Avengers are present too.
Will runs up to him saying, "About 200 monsters are trying to break in. We have about thirty minutes until the barrier holds." Percy nods already formulating strategies.
Percy stood in the front and shouted, "Alright listen up everyone, line up according to your cabins. Counselors at the front. Avengers stand beside me."
Percy gesture them over. He gave them a small smile as he noted that they are already in gear and prepared.
"Okay guys, check up on your suits and weapons. I'll give positions in a minute." They all nod although Steve is a little shocked at the way Percy so effortlessly and easily commands his troops.
Percy speaks up now, making sure his voice carries, "Will, split your cabin in half. Half will set up infirmaries, half of you find good places for shooting, Clint you can join the archers. Athena same, half of you set up tents and figure out battle strategies, half of you on the ground. Hephaestus, set up the traps, start immediately, Tony you can help them. Steve and Nat would you go with Athena strategists for now, also Reyna would you and your top strategist mind joining?" Both of them nod and walk towards the grey tents.
Percy turned to the rest of them, "Connor and Travis get together with some Hephaestus and Hecate and set up traps, Pollux you can join to help anyone you like. Aphrodite you guys too, Clarisse you and your cabin are on ground defence along with half of hunters and the Romans. Katie set up traps with the satyrs and also have half your campers working with food and medics. Rest of you, join wherever you feel it."
Percy took a moment to survey all of them, painfully aware that this might as well be his last fight.
"Alright Half-Bloods and Satyrs, and nymphs and pegasi, we have done this before and we will once again prove that we can defeat him! Take your positions and stand on guard!"
Percy checked his watch, they still had about fifteen minutes left, he wanted to make good use of this time. He ducked into the Athena tents.
"So what's the plan?" He asked striding into the room. To the Avengers the sight was still odd, children who should be playing were fighting wars but the demigods who were used to it immediately stepped into their roles.
Malcolm spoke up and Percy tried to ignore the pang in his chest when the thought that it should be Annabeth crossed his mind. He shook his head focusing on Malcolm.
"So we are starting with the Wedge formation, Percy you will be commanding, Thalia on your right flank and Nico on your left. The other Avengers and our best fighters will be in on the front line. Try to subdue as many as possible and as soon as possible."
Percy nodded his approval, though he was slightly unhappy with the high risk of casualties possible. He did not want to lose anyone else.
Malcolm continued, "The onagers will be placed behind the armies, with 5 demigods guarding each. Percy in case you spot Kronos call someone else up in charge. If we are outnumbered switch to the seventh formation. That's it, here are the places where the traps which we planned earlier are being set up." He pointed to the circled spots. Percy mentally memorized them.
The Avengers were watching Percy in awe, he lead them so well and the troops were well organized. The team was already suited up and geared with their weapons ready. Steve gave a nod to Percy who stepped out. The rest fell into line behind him.
Tony and the Hephaestus cabin were a little uncertain about the weapons. They had no doubt that the weapons would work but they weren't sure for how long it would continue. Steve's shield was coated with celestial bronze, Natasha had her knives, Clint had been given arrows from the Apollo archers and he was absolutely delighted with the amazing tricks they had. Hawkeye had been running around all day showing them off until eventually Natasha had whacked him.
Tony watched as Percy walked out his head held high, but he saw the nervousness, the fear, the mask which Percy put up. He mentally applauded him for being so calm under pressure. He watched from the distance as Percy spoke to the troops his voice carrying over the island.
He took a deep breath and let his faceplate slip on as he joined Percy. The genius stepped out of the suit once more to give Percy a reassuring glance and what he hoped a comforting pat on the back. He wanted to hug the kid, tell him to not risk himself but he knew that it would be pointless, all he could do was hope Percy would be alright.
Percy understood Tony's urge to keep him safe but he knew what had to happen as did Tony. Before Tony could fly away Percy pulled him into a hug and whispered a quiet, "Thank you." Of course it wasn't simply a thank you it meant a lot more than words could say and it seemed the older man understood it too, for he replied, "No thank you Percy, stay safe, please."
The billionaire didn't wait for a reply and simply stepped back allowing the suit to encase him, he gave Percy one last smile before the face plate closed once more. The Camp and the Avengers watched with sad eyes, they had seen over the past few weeks how close those two had gotten and it broke their heart to see them like this.
As soon as Tony flew away Percy shuttered his emotions into a determined look once more.
"Come on guys, we have five minutes, let's do this. Keep them as away from Camp as you can. Try not to die and if you see someone cornered or hurt just yell and help them. Alright, it's showtime."
The smile Percy had then sort of unnerved everyone but Percy just couldn't be bothered, they came to hurt his family and they would pay for it.
The troops were in position Percy at the center. He looked quite terrifying but majestic at the same time, thought Steve. Percy stood tall, his trusted sword in his hand and the scythe hung from his waist.
The first line of defence consisted of Percy at the centre on his left stood Nico, who looked on with grim determination. On Nico's left was Steve, then Reyna and ended with Clarisse and a few of the Ares and Hermes. Thalia stood on Percy's right electricity cackling beneath her fingers much like Thor, on Thalia's right was Natasha, beside whom was Thor and ended with Bruce and the best swordsmen of Hermes and Ares. Tony flew above them, repulsors at the ready.
The rest all stand behind them, everyone gripping their own weapons tensely, waiting for the barrier to finally collapse. They would have gone out but they couldn't really risk mortals seeing them, like what happened last year in New York.
The monsters charge was lead by Percy's old friend, the Minotaur, he could see dracanae, Earthborns and other old friends (read also: enemies)
The air was thick with tension, the sound of monsters was growing louder signalling that the barrier was weakening. There was a noticeable shift in the energy as the barrier finally broke, allowing the monsters inside.
A few more tense seconds later Percy's yelled to their enemies,
"Last chance, stand down, and leave." Percy yells. The monsters just yelled in defiance. He was a little confused as Kronos wasn't there but he decided he might turn up later.
"All right guys! They asked for it- Demigods attack!" Was the last thing Percy yelled before all hell broke loose as both armies clashed headfirst.