Chap 1

Percy lifts Riptide, watching the hoard of monsters close in. He's tired – so very tired – but knows that they have to keep the defences strong. At the first opportunity, Kronos will shatter all their work at holding the Empire State Building.

The son of Poseidon spins to stab a dracaenae trying to sneak up behind him, before he finds Annabeth. "Any word on where he is?"

He doesn't have to say who he's talking about, since Annabeth knows exactly who it is. "No one's seen him yet tonight," she says. "If Kronos stays away we might be able to push back his monsters a few blocks."

"When has he ever been known to back off, even for a few hours?" Percy asks quietly. "He's planning something."

"Probably," Annabeth agrees as she protects Percy's back.

The next few minutes are a flurry of motion as the horde of monsters close in. Percy and Annabeth quickly find themselves fighting back-to-back. The other demigods fight around them, vaporising monsters.

It startles Percy when music suddenly blares up, and eyebrows are raised as a black Chevy Impala slowly drives down the road.

"What the Hades?" Percy mutters.

The monsters back up slightly, muttering amongst each other and looking incredibly confused. That gives Percy the courage to step forwards as two men get out the car. He's aware of the monsters still around them, keeping Riptide ready.

"Hey, kid," the shorter one greets, "I guess this is the reason for the Blackout that the world's going crazy over? Phone lines cut out, all electronic stuff cutting off and cars turning around at the entrances to Manhattan?"

"Who are you?" Percy demands.

He smiles. "I'm Dean, and this is Sam," he says, gesturing to his brother, who shoots a dracaenae that's getting too close. Both of them frown when the monster's only blasted back a few paces. "Damn."

"How'd you get into the city then?"

Dean shrugs. "We have some winged help. He found a way into the city for us." He turns to scan the monsters around them. "So what's going on, kid?"

Percy tightens his grip on Riptide and turns to shout across the battle to Thalia. "Think you can hold the fort?"

Thalia nods. "Of course." She stabs an empousai in the cut. "Be careful, Perce."

Percy weaves his way back into the Empire State Building, instantly turning to the shorter man and placing the point of Riptide at his throat. "What are you?" he demands.

Dean's eyes widen and one hand moves to slip behind him while the other is held up in surrender. "Whoa, kid. Careful. Point that somewhere else!"

His eyes narrow. "What are you?" Percy repeats.

"Hey, its fine," Sam says hurriedly, "we're human, kid. Percy, right?" He slowly slips a knife out of his pocket. "We can prove it for you?"

"I can do that."

Percy jabs Riptide forwards, into Dean's throat. As he'd expected, the celestial bronze blade didn't hurt him and merely slid through him as if he wasn't even there. "So you're not lying," he says flatly as he withdraws the blade.

"What the Hell, kid!" Dean exclaims.

"You're supposed to be asleep," Percy frowns, capping Riptide. "Every other mortal is."

"You're not human?" Sam demands.

"I'm a demigod," Percy says. "Why?"

"Look, just… could you tell us what's going on?" Dean asks.

"The Titan Lord Kronos is attempting to destroy Olympus," Percy explains. "We're trying to stop him. If he succeeds then he'll force all mortals to bow to him."

Dean shares a look with Sam. "Has he said anything about having a friend? Someone like the Devil?"

Percy stares at him. "What?"

"Lucifer," Sam says. "Satan."

"Yeah, I know who the Devil is," Percy grumbles. "But he's not real."

"I hate to break it to you, kid, but he's definitely real," Dean says quietly. "Popped out his box in Hell and walking amongst us. He's trying to wipe out humanity, thinks we're abominations. Flawed. Sam, if this Kronos dude is trying to rule humanity while Lucifer's trying to destroy them, I don't think Kronos is working for him."

"Percy!" Annabeth exclaims as she runs into the lobby. "You have to… Kronos has turned up."

Instantly, Percy uncaps Riptide. "Is he fighting?"

Annabeth shakes her head. "He says he wants to talk. To you, and to them," she gestures over to Sam and Dean. "Something about Hunters sticking their noses in places they're going to get bitten off."

Dean removes his hand from behind his back, revealing the gun in his hand. "Can the dude be killed?"

"Not easily," Annabeth grimaces. "He had Luke take on the Curse of Achilles. He's vulnerable in one spot and we don't know where that spot is."

"Well then we've got to figure out how to ice that son of a bitch," Dean says.

Percy nods. "We could use all the help we can get."

"Percy," Annabeth prompts. "Kronos."

Percy sighs. "Right," he says tiredly. "I'm coming."

It's unsurprising to see that the battle has stopped. Kronos has that effect. He stands amidst blood and bodies and monster dust, looking as if he's merely taking a walk through Central Park.

"Kronos," Percy growls, shoving his way through to stand before him. Dean and Sam stop beside him.

"Percy Jackson," the Titan greets tonelessly. His golden eyes slide over Percy to scan Sam and Dean, as if they were cockroaches presented to him. "Sam and Dean," he muses, "I've heard a lot about you."

"Good," Dean says flatly. "Then you should know that we've killed other deities before. Permanently. Shouldn't be too hard to add another to that list."

Kronos' mouth tilts up at the corners, the Titan looking rather amused at the blatant threat. "I was going to say that your infamy precedes you. I must congratulate you for kick-starting Armageddon. Letting Lucifer out of his little cage? Incredible."

Dean's eyes narrow. "Well the winged douches didn't do anything to help. It was me and Sammy against a horde of demons, buddy. Of course they were gonna win."

"Nevertheless, I must ask just why you're here whilst the looming death match between Lucifer and Michael approaches."

Sam shrugs. "Maybe we just wanted to kick pagan ass again?"

"Don't you even care about that?" Dean demands. "You want to rule, right? Well I hate to break it to you, but Satan's not gonna leave any scraps around. And the Angels won't want anyone encroaching on their little Paradise on Earth."

Kronos' mouth tilts up even further. "I have faith."

"In who?" Sam demands. "The Devil?"

The Titan chuckles. "It does not matter whom. I have my reasons for this – ones which I shall not share with a group of cockroaches. Even if those cockroaches are nearly destroying the world themselves."

Dean shakes his head. "You're exactly the reason why we hunt," he says flatly. "Assholes who think just because they're next to invincible, they can't be killed and should be put before everyone else. Come on, Sammy, let's hit the books."

Kronos watches with faint amusement as Dean stalks away. Sam shoots the deity a glare before following his brother. The Titan calls after them. "Your little angel friend will be dropped off here within hours."

Dean instantly spins around. "Cas?" he demands. "What have you done to him?"

"Perhaps the little birdie should learn to not encroach on warzones which have been cordoned off. Next time I'll clip his fucking wings, human."

The curse coming from Luke's mouth, with Kronos' voice, startles Annabeth.

"You fucking bastard," Dean growls, reaching for his gun and levelling it at Kronos' forehead.

Kronos ignores Percy as he takes several paces towards Dean. "Shoot," he urges. "See what your silver bullets do."

Dean fires. The bullet bounces off Luke's forehead with the sound of metal crumpling in on itself and the mortal's eyes widen. "You gotta be kidding me."

Kronos raises his right hand, forming a mock gun with his fingers, and mimes shooting it. The air ripples out, an explosion of pure energy from before Dean. Dean swears under his breath as he staggers to his feet, wincing at the pain in his back as he feels blood soak into his shirt.

"Sammy? You good?"

Sammy groans as he rolls to his feet. "Yeah, I'm good."

"I will say this once and only once, Winchesters," Kronos hisses. "Fuck off. This doesn't concern you. And Castiel will be returned to you within the hour. I hope you decide to leave before this becomes any worse."

"Have you hurt Cas?" Dean demands angrily.

Kronos chuckles. "Harm an angel? Sure. I'm that stupid. No, Dean, he's not permanently scarred."

"Dean," Sam says quietly, "come on. We'll see if we can find anything about this asshole. How to kill him, preferably."

"Good luck," Kronos says with a sharp smile. "You'll need it."

Then the Titan turns and, with his hands shoved into the pockets of the jeans he's wearing, strides off as if he hadn't just thrown two fully grown men across the street and told them he was holding their angel friend hostage.