Don't own Percy Jackson or any related characters, Rick Riordon does.

"Where are we?"Jason wondered, looking around. Last he checked, it was afternoon but now it was almost night. And they weren't in a city alleyway, either. What had happened? Last he remembered, they were gong to battle and then they were here. 'They' being him, Annabeth, Leo and Piper.

"New York."Annabeth announced, holding up a newspaper and staring through Jason with her steel grey eyes. "2000."

"Cool,"Leo said. "Time travel." Piper rolled her eyes. "Yeah, cuz time travel's so cool. Any ideas on how to get back?"

"Not yet, but-"

"Quiet!"Jason snapped uncharacteristically, one hand on his sword while his other was up in the universal sign of 'stop'. "I hear something."

Everybody gripped their respective weapons, ready to attack. They could all hear it now, once they weren't bickering. Footsteps, a quiet clanking noise and a dragging noise. It was coming closer. Any moment now.

5...

4...

3...

2...

1.

A small boy, maybe six or seven years old, stumbled around the corner. He was only protected from the evening chill by a thin layer of clothing, but that didn't hide the various bruises and cuts-the blood that soaked the cloth was more than a 6-7 year old would be expected to have. He had dark hair, and he scanned the teens ready to attack with frightened, somewhat familiar blue-green eyes. There was no doubt he could see the weapons for what they were. He was careful not to put any weight on his left side, which explained the dragging noise they had heard earlier.

Child and teens stared at eachother for ten long frightened before Piper regained her wits and spoke first. "I-"The child took several steps back, but thankfully didn't run. She seathed her dagger, hoping that it would reassure the kid at least a little bit. The others did the same. "What are you doing out so late?" it was cold, and New York at night was way too dangerous for a young child like him to be wandering alone at this hour.

He looked away shyly, still on edge. "My mom told me not to talk to strangers."

"But we're not." Annabeth said, stepping closer. Piper was afraid that her friend would scare the boy. Annabeth looked pretty intimidating when you first saw her, and the kid was already spooked. She took another wary step closer, and the boy took a step back. Annabeth changed tactics, and kneeled so she was at eye level to him. She beckoned him closer and the kid, no doubt curious, crept forward warily. When he was close enough, she whispered something to him.

The rest didn't know what Annabeth said, but it must've been good. The boy's eyes widened comically with wonder and curiousity. Then he smiled, and grabbed Annabth's hand as she stood.

"You guys aren't strangers!" The kid announced, seemingly quite pleased with his new friends. Then he blinked, smile falling as though he just realized something. "Are you guys cold? Cuz I kind of am. Wanna come over to my house?"

Awkward and surprised looks were exchanged all around. "Um, okay," Jason said finally. "Lead the way."

And so he did, skipping as best as he could with the busted leg and swinging from Annabeth's arm, who seemed to be enjoying it just as much. The rest followed, wondering who the heck this kid was and what happened. They finally reached his apartment, and only then did anybody ask the question on everybody's mind.

"Who are you?"

"Me?"The boy turned around, smiling despite the bruises etched into his skin and cuts that still ooze blood. "My name's Percy Jackson."