Annabeth Chase and the Avengers

Chapter 23

Annabeth

Tears streamed down Annabeth's face as she stood in front of the Starks' cabin, watching the bouquet of flowers, as well as the proof that Tony had a heart, floated gently around the lake.

They released more bouquets into the water; one for each of the fallen. Piper. Frank. Felix. Lee Fletcher. Paolo Montes. Damien White. Sherman Yang. Michael Kahale. Dakota. Clint.

The Avengers were there, along with Annabeth's closest friends. She heard Sadie declaring that she was now older than her brother, and she had to smirk at that. The Chases were there as well, with the Sopwith Camel parked somewhere across the lake.

Rocket and Nebula had been reunited with their friends, and were hugging each other fiercely.

Annabeth grasped Percy's hand.

She didn't know if she could lose another person.

Bobby and Matthew were telling some of the campers about their deus ex machina.

Frederick and Annabeth's stepmother were exchanging their condolences with Pepper and Morgan. The Hunters stood apart from the others, only talking with each other, Artemis, and the occasional Amazon that passed by.

Annabeth spotted Thalia's silver circlet immediately, and she headed over to her childhood friend.

"Hey." Annabeth croaked. It had been her first words since the sermon nearly an hour before.

Thalia's sad blue eyes met Annabeth's stormy gray. "Hey Wise Girl." She sniffed.

Annabeth gripped Thalia tightly, and began to sob.

And Thalia just comforted her.

She didn't say a word.

She just hugged Annabeth.

And that was all she needed.

A half hour later, Annabeth's eyes were red from crying so much. She wiped away the remaining tears and pulled away from Thalia. She gripped the hunter's hand for a moment, before pulling away.

Thalia wiped her eyes and smiled at Annabeth ruefully. "I'd better go. We saw monster tracks in the woods; the Hunters and I should probably hunt it down."

Annabeth nodded. "Okay."

Nodding, Thalia dashed off, her bow in one hand, and her other touching the feathered tip of an arrow.

Annabeth wandered through the crowd, which was starting to dissipate. One by one, the campers, enherji, magicians, and Amazons left, until it was just Annabeth, Percy, Hazel, Jason, Leo, and the Avengers.

Happy was reclined on a seat on the porch next to Morgan. "What do you want?" Happy asked the four-year old.

"Cheeseburgers." Morgan said, putting on a puppy-face.

Happy let out a sigh, and stared out at the lake. "Nah... I'd rather help Spider-Man."

Morgan deflated.

Annabeth stepped onto the porch, a faint smile on her face. "I'll get you cheeseburgers, Morgan."

Morgan bounced up and down. "Yay!"

Thank you. Happy mouthed.

"There you are!" Thor boomed from behind Annabeth.

Annabeth spun around, and saw Percy standing next to the Norse god.

There was a flash of light, and when it dissipated, Annabeth saw the god of thunder wearing merchandise. He wore a T-shirt proclaiming, Percabeth Shipper, blue jeans, and a Yankees baseball cap.