Once again Mark was reminded of why driving in New York sucked ass. While the drive was only 20 minutes, it took way longer as he ended up getting stuck in traffic. When he finally got out of the traffic he finally managed to arrive at the apartments where Poseidon's kid lived.
He parked his truck a small distance away before he observed his target. Mark waved his hand and felt how the mana in the air did as he willed it. He used it to obscure himself from the sight of regular people.
So unless he encountered a supernatural being, they would not be able to see him. Mark expanded his senses which had all ascended. He could now see mana in the air and in people and he instantly found his target who had stepped out of the apartment.
The demigod had a huge reserve amount of mana he was not even using. It was why right now it was not doing anything.
'Percy Jackson, son of Poseidon.'
[Looks like he does not know. Knowing is the first step in using a your powers. What are you planning?]
'Right now? Nothing.'
Mark walked toward the kid who was waiting for the school bus. Percy heard the sound of Mark's heavy steel-toed boots hitting the ground so he turned around. He had to crane his head up to look up at Mark's face as he was only 12 and not very tall.
Mark stood next to Percy acting like he was waiting to cross the street. He looked Percy in the eyes and saw how the kid's eyes went wide open. In his head, he was thinking about Mark's slit pupils.
Mark tested him a bit.
"What? Never seen someone as tall as me?"
Percy raised his hands as he backed away.
"Sorry. I haven't."
Mark patted the kid on the back.
"Chill dude, I can't be much older than you. I am Mark, 15."
Percy rubbed the back of his head embarrassed. Percy thought that Mark was already 18, but hearing he was close to his age calmed him down. Though he was still curious about Mark's pupils. They looked like reptile eyes.
"I am Percy, 12."
Mark nodded as he crossed the street.
"Well then, see you around."
Percy waved him off.
"Yeah."
When Mark got out of sight Percy sighed in relief hoping what he was thinking was not true. Mark did not really leave and instead, he just sneaked around back to follow Percy. He got back in his pickup as Percy's school bus had just arrived.
He looked to his left hand.
"Let's hope I don't have to follow this kid too much."
[If you do, just make daddy dearest pay you more for your troubles.]
"I sometimes forget dragons are greedier than sin."
[And WE Red Dragons are the most greedy. You are a Red Dragon in the making my friend.]
Mark drove off and followed the school bus to Percy's school. It was called Yancy Academy for troubled youth which Mark always just called lazy parenting. Mark closed his eyes as he increased his senses and began to observe Percy from the distance.
Apparently, there was going to be a School Trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
"What a coincidence! I took Runeas on a date there just yesterday."
[It seems you are in quite a bit of luck. What do you plan to do? Keep following him around?]
"No. Once he gets to the museum, I think I am just going to grab him and chuck him in the back. I rather get back to Runeas than follow a prepubescent brat."
[You are rather impatient when things don't involve you getting stronger or Runeas. Already sounding like a Red Dragon, I would cry if I could.]
"Are you being serious right now?"
[What? Can't I be proud my friend is becoming stronger?]
"I appreciate it, dude."
Mark and Ddraig continued to bicker as Percy and his classmates boarded their school buses. Mark observed Percy and saw that he was alone with a half-goat man. He also felt something different from the teacher that was chaperoning the event.
'The teacher is different. He smells like a horse.'
[I honestly think that might be a Centaur in disguise. Which one though is something we might have to be careful with.]
'Poseidon could not make my job more annoying.'
Mark drove away and arrived at the museum ahead of time and he got inside. Eventually, Percy and his whole class began to tour the museum. He followed behind them with no one noticing him.
Eventually, when they got to the Greek section, Mark listened in to the lecture of the centaur named, Mr. Brunner. Now that they were close to him, Ddraig knew who it was.
[That is Chiron. The son of Kronus must be here to keep Percy safe. Much like you are, and so is the Satyr. Poseidon is not taking any chances with his son. I am not sure if he mellowed out or he is just acting.]
'If he is, good for him.'
Mark listened to the history lecture about the Titans, the Gods, and other Greek heroes. Most ended in tragedy which was commonplace in Greek tales. Though calling them tales and not history was wrong.
When the lecture ended, Percy's class went outside to eat their lunch. All the while Mark looked up at the sky as it filled with storm clouds. Not to mention that the sea was churning which made him squint his eyes.
'I think I got to just grab him.'
[Maybe you should.]
Mark was about to rush in and put the whole class to sleep when he noticed something. Percy and his Satyr friend were approached by the bully girl. Mark did not care what she did, but he saw as the fountain formed a giant hand that dragged her inside of it.
She began to scream that Percy had pushed her inside. She was insufferable, but she was just a spoiled kid. Not worth Mark stopping, but that changed his opinion of Percy.
'Son of Poseidon alright.'
He was going to keep observing when the math teacher approached Percy. Looking at her was weird as she was wearing a black leather jacket like he was. However, she looked like a biker rather than a teacher.
She snapped her fingers at Percy and ordered him to follow her. Looking at her made Ddraig warn him.
[Mark, I would intervene if I were you. That is the Furry Elekto, the Fury Queen.]
"I got it."
Mark rose to his feet from his seat and followed Percy and the Fury into the museum. The Satyr was about to run past him, but Mark reached out and pulled him back.
"HEY!"
Mark said one word.
"Sleep."
Instantly the Satyr went limp as Mark set him down. He ran deeper after Percy and the Fury and noticed that she led him right back to the Greek section. The Boosted Gear appeared on his left arm as he walked deeper in.
Mark did not listen much to what she said. She was tugging at the cuffs of her leather jacket. But he did hear the last part before he stepped in.
"Did you really think you would get away with it?"
"YO!"
Both Percy and the Fury looked up at Mark who pointed at her.
"Your jacket is ugly."
[Boost!]
Mark's Dragon Heart beat like a roaring engine as his Dragon Mana filled his body. Mark rushed in as he activated Ddraig's Penetrate ability. He smashed his whole gauntlet right through her face sending her flying. Percy watched the whole thing in slow motion. When the Fury was smashed into the wall he looked up at Mark.
"MARK?!"
[DUCK!]
Mark bent his back at an impossible angle as a black sludge-covered tentacle went where Mark was standing. Mark took a deep breath and exhaled a stream of Dragon Fire. His flames burned the tentacle along with the black sludge on it.
With his back still bent he backflipped to get back to his feet. He grabbed Percy by his jacket and pulled him back with him. From the wall, the headless Fury struggled to reform her head. Seeing that made Mark grin.
"You look better like that honey."
Mark smashed his foot into the ground opening a massive Bounded Field. He had not just been training with his fists, but he had Runeas teach him some useful spells. Mark stepped forward as he exhaled.
[Welsh Dragon Balance Breaker!]
From the Boosted Gear, a Dark Crimson glow appeared covering him in thick plates of red and black armor. The Scail Mail was not usually this bulky, but now that Mark was fueling himself with Dragon Mana, all of the Boosted Gear's abilities got an upgrade.
It was like the Boosted Gear finally got the fuel it needed to bring out its true power.
[Boost!][Boost!][Boost!][Boost!][Boost!][Boost!]
Mark rushed in faster than even Percy's demigod eyes could track. He arrived at the Fury and coated his arms in a mixture of Space Magic and Dragon Fire turning his flames dark purple.
He once more used the Penetrate ability which Ddraig used to smash through all defenses. Even that of the gods would crumble at this power. His fist smashed through her chest and with it, he brought out her heart. He closed his palm and destroyed the heart turning the Fury into yellow dust. Mark stepped back still in full armor as he did not think that was it.
"Ddraig? She dead."
[She is not dead. That was just an avatar of the real one.]
"Fuck."
Mark waved his hand and dispelled the Scail Mail and the bounded Field. Mark looked at the smashed wall and pointed his hand at it. He began to turn his hand counterclockwise turning time back and repairing the damage.
He turned to Percy who was shivering something crazy.
"So, that was something."
Mark laughed a bit as he patted Percy on the head.
"What just happened?"
[That was a Fury that just tried to kill you, son of Poseidon. They serve the god Hades of the Underworld.]
"Did that gauntlet just talk?"
[I am not just a gauntlet. I am Ddraig, the Welsh Dragon.]
Mark nodded.
"I am Mark, your father asked me to guard you and deliver you safely to summer camp."
[That is a very tact explanation, Mark.]
Percy raised his hands to get their attention.
"My father? But my father died at sea."
Mark shook his head.
"Not at sea, he is the sea. Or at the very least the god who rules it. You are a demigod, why else would he ask me of all people to ensure your safety."
Just then from the doorway entered Mr. Burner or Chiron in disguise. The satyr had awoken and from the look of it, he was the one who informed Chiron of the danger. When Chiron saw Mark and the gauntlet on his left arm he cursed.
"Get away from the boy Red Dragon Emperor."
Mark raised his arms.
"I come in peace. Besides, his father asked me to ensure his safety."
Chiron in his electric wheelchair rolled up toward the two of them.
"Lord Poseidon did?"
Mark nodded.
"He came to me just today. Told me all about how he and his brother are having a dick-measuring contest. Oh, and that they are threatening war. In that order."
Chiron wanted to facepalm.
"My goodness, have some tact. We are in the presence of minors."
Mark shrugged.
"Anyway, if you excuse me. I will be taking Percy under the orders of Poseidon."
Mark reached out and took Percy by the hand.
"HEY!"
"Come along child."
Grover got in the middle of them though. Barely holding a stutter he tried to stand brave.
"I will go with him."
"Fine, don't get goat fur in my pickup."
Before they left Chiron handed Percy a pen.
"I will have to believe what you say Red Dragon Emperor. Percy, only push the cap of this pen when you are in danger."
Percy took the pen as Mark dragged him away.
"Come on, we better get a move on before Zeus and Poseidon cause another war."
He let go of Percy who followed behind him with more questions than answers. Mark fully intended to make Poseidon pay an arm and a leg for his help.