As mother and daughter hugged each other Percy and his mom slowly walked out into the empty corridor given the two some space.
"Thank you for that Percy," Sally said, looking at the two people inside still hugging, "ever since I knew Maria she had been worried only about her daughter. The poor woman has suffered enough, I wanted to help her anyway I could."
"Didn't I tell you that you would never have to say thanks?" Percy asked with a smirk drinking the rest of Maria's coffee.
"You did a good thing Percy," Sally said with a smile.
"I know, I'm a hero. It's what I do," Percy smiled as he finished the cup of coffee, "Although I never imagined I could ever use my powers....like this."
Sally smiled, "maybe you should become a doctor when you grow up."
Percy shrugged, "maybe." 'I could if I wanted to. I can learn everything I would need to know in the press of a button, and I beat if I am careful enough not to get caught I could help a lot of people.'
"So will you be leaving now?"
Percy nodded, "yeah, if I stay too long monsters might catch my scent."
Sally sighed, "take care of yourself Percy," she then pulled Percy into a hug, "and remember I am always there for you. You may live in a world filled with things I cannot even being to imagine, but I am still your mother."
Percy smiled and held his mother close, "thanks mom."
Sally broke the hug, "I'm proud of you."
Percy smiled, "I know. Well, guess I better get going," Percy turned and took out his Goggles from his inventory. He put them on but then turned to his mom, "hey mom could I ask you a favour?"
Sally nodded, "what is it dear? Need more blood?"
Percy shook his head, "no, I was just wondering whether I could take Leo with me."
"Leo?" Sally asked surprised, "whatever for Percy?"
"It's just that Leo hasn't grown at all since I last saw him, and that was a year ago. I think it has something to do with the fact he is supposed to be with me or something."
"Hmm, well the vet I took him too just said that Leo was a slow grower, but that could also be the Mist talking. Well I suppose it does make sense that a magical creature can only grow up in a magical environment."
Percy nodded, "right. And the reason I gave Leo to you was because I wanted someone strong enough to protect you while I'm gone. Since Leo can't do that right now I think it's best I train him for some time before I give him back."
Sally nodded, "okay Percy. He's all yours."
Percy smiled, "thanks mom. I'll get them from the Castle's, oh, and before I forget, here," Percy opened his inventory and pulled out a green casino card with a lotus printed on it;
Lotus Cash Card,
This card may be used as a debit card anywhere.
Money contained within— Infinite.
Sally raised an eyebrow as she received the card, "what's this?"
"It's a casino card. Remember I told you I saved some kids form a casino?" Sally nodded, "well while I was there I got this. It has an unlimited amount of money in it."
Sally's eyes widened as she looked down at the little green plastic card in her hand, "h-how is that even possible?"
Percy shrugged, "I'm not sure, but when I showed it to Annabeth she said it contained some sort of influence in digital mechanics that tricks a bank's system into believing the card has unlimited amount of money."
"Percy....this is amazing," Sally looked at the card.
"Yup," Percy smiled, "I thought maybe you could use it to pay for Tabitha's hospital bills and what not. But remember to always withdraw money from an ATM, it might attract attention if you send money left and right and I don't want-"
Percy was cut off by his mom grabbing him into a hug and holding him close, "you are the best son any mother could ask for."
Percy smiled, "and you're the best mom ever."
Sally smiled and broke the hug, "you sure you don't need this?"
Percy shook his head, "no. I was going to use it to buy things left and right, but I figured I was to irresponsible with unlimited money. So I gave to the most compassionate person I know."
Sally smiled, "thank you. This is going to make college so much easier."
"Don't' forget, never use this directly, withdraw money from an ATM first," Percy then pressed the button on the side of his goggles from his jelly like helmet around his head, "see you later!"
Percy then turned on the spot and zoomed away leaving Sally blow back by the speed Percy was traveling at. "That is so cool," Sally whispered as a smile came onto her face.
Percy ran thought New York leaving a gust of wind behind him. He reached his mom's place 9 seconds flat, mostly because he wanted to slow down and take in the sights. He deactivated his helmet and lowered his goggles to his neck before he went up and knocked on the Castle's door.
The door opened up to Alexis standing there with Leo next to her growling at Percy.
"Percy?" the beautiful redhead said in surprise, "I didn't realise you would be back so soon."
Percy nodded, "yeah, we finished the thing early. Mom's still in the hospital but I just came for Leo."
"So you can abandon me again asshole?" Leo asked
"For the last time I didn't abandon you Leo! You hated me, and I hated you. You pissed on me the first time we meet!"
"So?"
"Grr! You are just so irritating!" Percy felt like ripping his own hair out as Alexis giggled in amusement.
"You know dad was right, it's almost like you can talk to him."
Percy sighed as he picked up Leo by the collar and held him at an arm's length, "thanks for taking care of him."
"Let go me you useless man! I only allow beautiful women to touch me!" Leo yelled, 'guess that explains why he hates me and Castle.'
"It was my pleasure," Alexis said suddenly Kate walked out from behind her surprising the two, "Kate? Where are you going?"
"We got a hostage situation in Harlem and one of my suspects is right in the middle of it, I need to get there now.," Kate said as she put on her jacket walking down the stairs.
Percy was surprised, 'maybe I should help out or something. What am I saying, of course I should help out!'
Ping!
Quest Alert!
Save the civilians!
Rewards,
500 XP per civilian saved
New Title!
Failure,
Death of hostages
Arrested
YES/NO?
Percy pressed yes and turned to Alexis, "see you later red."
"No! My beautiful caregiver! Let me go! I don't want to go with you sticky man!" Leo barked out in protest but Percy ignored him.
Before Alexis could respond Percy took off at a moderate pace for the stairs. Once he was out of sight from the girl Percy opened his inventory and stuffed the shouting dog in it silencing him. Percy then took his goggles form around his neck and put them on activating his helmet.
Percy snuck out to the main road and spotted Kate traveling in a car turning right. He activate his super speed and quickly caught up to her and hide in the shadows of an alleyway. He waited as Kate slowly made her way through New York traffic till eventually she reached a KFC restaurant in Harlem.
The place was teeming with cops and reporters everywhere. People were gathered around just behind the yellow line Percy disabled his helmet and quietly slipped into the crowd of people. He walked towards a reporter and eavesdropped on the woman as she spoke into her camera.
"-The man responsible has been identified as a criminal of the Boston underworld, one Jordan Clifford. This man has reportedly has over nine hostages inside, the KFC was reportedly filled with people when Clifford opened fired. Most managed to get out while Clifford managed to grab 9 hostages. He is not working alone as reports tell that four men were working together with Clifford and helped him secure the building. Police have been so far unable to identify the people helping Clifford but have managed to make contact with the man inside. It is said that-"
The reporter went on but Percy didn't really pay attention. His mind went back to the time he saw Kate's open files. He remembered reading something about this Clifford guys being the Don's second hand man, why he was now holding up a KFC Percy didn't know. But he did know one thing, he had to save those people inside.
Percy turned to the KFC and saw the place around it teeming with cops. There was a truck parked behind the yellow time which had a dish on top, probably the communications center for the negotiation.
Percy then turned to the building itself. The windows were boarded up, Percy could barely make out anything in there. He didn't have a way of finding out where the hostages were, his mana sense powers only detected mana, and normal humans didn't have any.
Just then an idea hit Percy and the demigod slowly slipped back into the shadows of an alley nearby. 'Okay, if I'm going to do this I need to make sure I don't get recognized,' Percy said to himself as he looked at his clothes, 'maybe something a bit more....superhero.'
Percy took out his skin tight super fabric legging and quickly switched them out for his jeans. Changing at super speed really was something else. Percy then zipped up his jacket hiding the easily recognizable orange camp shirt and activated his lightweight helmet.
Percy then focused his mind as slowly his body turned into smoke before activating his Speed demon perk and zooming off towards the KFC.
'Okay my time limit for this form is 1 minute 30 seconds, so every second counts,' Percy told himself as he slipped into the KFC from the the back avoiding the cameras and all the people at the front.
Percy was pushing his speed to the max, but since he was in cloud from his max speed was basically just him running at normal speed. But that would have to do. Percy went through a broken window in the back and found himself in an old unused supply closet. Percy quickly went under the gap between the door and floor and began searching the restaurant.
He passed quickly through the company break room in the back and through the main dining area. There Percy saw five armed men standing by the door and barred up windows with machine guns in their hands.
Not wanting to waste time of risk getting spotted the blue cloud moved, he still needed to find the hostages. Percy quickly found the manager's room a few door down from the unused closet and inside he found all 9 hostages tied up and gagged. A blonde haired man stood over them with a cellphone over his ear. He was buff, his muscles had veins popping out of them and his hair was long, just like his beard.
"I said I want detective Beckett, and I want her now!" the man roared out.
'Kate? What does he want with Kate?' Percy wondered as he hovered in the corner of the room. Luckily no one had noticed him. The hostages were to distracted to notice him and the man, Clifford, was still waiting on Kate.
"Detective Beckett," the man finally said, "is it really you?" Silence, "fine. I believe you." Silence again, "I called for you for one reason, I needed your attention." Silence, "because I know you are investigating into the murder of Don Francisco and one of your main suspects is me!" silence, "listen here bitch I know what you have been doing! Going around asking questions that shouldn't be asked! You're the reason I have to run now!" Silence, Percy could hear Kate frantically shouting on the other end, "the reason I called you is because I know who is responsible for the Don's murder." Silence, "yeah, the real one. The reason I called you hear is because I want you to help prove I'm innocent." Silence again, " you have 24 hours. Until then I won't hurt anyone of these people, but after that I will kill every person one by one every extra hour you take! And don't you dare try and sneak in! I have each entrance in this dump locked shut!"
The man disconnected the call and Percy could feel his time in smoke form run out. 'It's now or never,' Percy thought as he slowly transformed back into his human form.
Percy hit the ground with a thud drawing everyone's attention to him. The hostage's went wide eyes and Clifford pointed his gun at Percy.
"How the hell did you-" the man didn't even complete this line as Percy activated his speed and blurred into motion tackling the man to the ground before slapping him across the face breaking a few of his teeth.
'Damn, forgot how strong I was,' Percy told himself as he pulled the man and smashed his head into the ground knocking him unconscious.
Percy slowly got up and turned to the hostages, "are you alright?"
They nodded blankly as one man asked, "is he dead?"
Percy shook his head, "just knocked out. Stay here," Percy then zoomed out of the room leaving everyone stunned at what they had saw.
"That just happened right?" one man asked, "like, I didn't imagine that did I?"
"Nope," the man next to him said.
"Good to know."
Percy had managed to sneak into the main dining area. The five armed men did hear the commotion inside, that was good. It gave Percy the advantage of surprise. 'Okay then, let's dance.'
Percy moved with his super speed and punched the back of the man closest to him. The thug didn't even know what hit him as he was sent flying through the boarded up window. Percy moved, he grabbed the gun of one thug and threw it to the side before throwing a weak punch to the man's face breaking his nose.
"Who are you!" the other three thugs shouted as they opened fire on Percy. Percy moved before the bullets could even hit him as he knocked out two things before turning to the last.
The last man's face turned to one horror as he threw his gun to the side, "I give up! I swear I didn't want nothing to do with this! My cousin Frankie made me! I-"
"Oh shut up," Percy said slapping the man across the face knocking him out. Percy smiled, 'damn I'm good.'
Just then the barred up doors were flung open as several SWAT agents came pouring in. Kate was leading the charge, "you! Stay where you are!"
Percy didn't even wait as he zoomed away circling the entire team of SWAT and police before jumping out the window he threw a thug through. Percy didn't stop for even a second in a second he passed the yellow tape and people gathered around slipping into the alley he was in before.
Percy watched from the shadows as the hostages were slowly taken out of the restaurant one by one.
Ping!
Quest Completed!
Save the civilians!
Rewards,
500 XP per civilian saved
New Title!
Total Exp earned!
4,500 XP
New Title unlocked!
Novice Hero— Almost nobody knows about you.
2% chance of getting recognized
+1 to every stat when doing good
0.3% chance of being liked by the public.
Percy raised an eyebrow at the new title but it was to be expected. 'Guess this makes me the first person crazy enough to actually dress up like a superhero and save people.'
