This chapter's going to introduce the roles of Nico, Grover, and a bunch of other people from the series. I don't want to rush into the main story that I have planned so there will be some chapters leading up until we see any actual Pertemis. Though there will be some action.

Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson. All characters are owned by Mr. Rick Riordan himself.


Paul grinned, "Speak of the devil. Percy, come on in."

Percy gratefully returned the kind smile. He had always liked Paul. He could quite obviously see why his mom had decided to marry him. He was humble, responsible, and kind. The man was perfect for his mother, and Percy could accept that. He could see why his mother would need someone to grow old with. Paul's warm, outgoing smile was what did it for Percy. Percy had never met his father before he left Percy and his mom, but he had always imagined that a father should have a smile like that. A smile that you know will always care for you, one that you can fall back on.

Sally could not help but chuckle at her son and her husband's easy interaction. Percy needed a father figure in his life. Percy was her good little boy, but he needed some fatherly support and even discipline here and there. She was glad that Paul was able to provide that. Percy had immediately taken a liking to Paul and adopted him as a father, even though he and Sally had gotten married with Percy at the older age of 15. It had been 6 years now, and now Percy had a half-sister. He loved her with all his heart, Sally could tell. But with sinking heart she realized that Percy would do anything for this family. He devoted himself to a dangerous mob, just to provide the money for them. And that could be dangerous, he could get in serious trouble.

"Pewcyy!" screeched Penelope as she spotted her half-brother.

Percy grinned down at her. He picked her up and twirled her around. Penelope giggled and screamed as Percy began to spin her gradually faster, until he set her down.

"Penny, aren't you just getting so tall now? The last time I saw you, you were this tall!" Percy gestured to about half of Penelope's current height.

The little girl beamed up at him. She idolized Percy and Percy seemed to sense that. That's why he was so gentle with her. Percy ruffled her hair and walked past her towards his mother.

"Hey mom, how have you been?" Percy said merrily.

"Hmm…. How have I been? WHERE have you been?!" Sally exploded at her son, "I've been so worried about you! You're never around and I'm always afraid that you won't come back whenever you walk out that door. You're my son and I need to know that you are safe!"

Percy frowned. "Mom, you know that I do everything I do for you. I know that you don't like that I'm part of a mob, but you need to understand that you need the money I get to help keep little Penny alive."

"I know, I know," his mother sobbed, as she broke down from all her yelling, "but that's why it's so much harder letting you do this. If you die, it's my fault."

"Shhhh…, it's alright mom," Percy whispered to her, "I promise that I'll never ever leave you. You're too important to me."

"Pewcy, is mommy alright?" Penelope stared up at Percy comforting their mother.

"Mommy just had a long day, she needs to get to bed."

Percy got up and led Sally to the small room that she and Paul shared. Coincidentally, it was, other than the bathroom, the only room separate from the bedroom-sized room that functioned as a kitchen, and dining room. When he emerged, Paul had something to say.

"Percy why don't you go lie down with your mother?"

Percy replied wearily, "No Paul, she's your wife now, that's your room, this is your house. Please, I insist."

"The only other place to sleep is Penny's cot, but she has that."

"Fine." Paul breathed a sigh of relief.

"I'll take the rocking chair."

He sighed. Sensing that Percy was in no mood to argue, Paul tucked Penelope in for bed, and then slid under the covers with his wife.


When Sally rose in the morning, light was wafting through the crack in the doorway. She got up and stretched herself. She yawned, a massive yawn, before she noticed that Paul had not awoken yet. She would have thought Percy would've gotten into bed with her, but she knew her son well enough to know he probably forced Paul to take the spot. Speaking of Percy, she wondered if he had risen yet. Surely, he would've waited to say good-bye to his mother before hitting the streets again. She stepped around the small, sorry excuse for a bed and creaked open the door. When Sally set foot into the living room, she noticed the parted blinders. The couch had been rearranged, and there was a breakfast for three on the table. A cigar was in the ashtray, but the cap and coat were off their hook.

"Damn it, Percy," Sally murmured.


In fact, Percy was long gone. He was walking through an abandoned railyard. The boxes stacked upon one another, the rails never to be used again. He was nearing the meet-up spot.

"There it is," he grumbled, "the River Styx."

As he slammed open the door, the bartender, who had been wiping the counter, raised his eyebrows at him. Recognizing him, he took another swig from his flask.

"Dakota! You bootlegger, you."

"Hey, Perce. And I can drink for my religion, not my fault you can't." the brunette shot back.

"Ha! More like you drink religiously." Dakota sneered back at him.

"They're in the back."

Standing guard at the doors were two of the members of the mob.

"Castor! Pollux! How's it going?" Percy cried.

"They're waiting for you inside." Pollux muttered.

"Nice to see you, too." Percy replied, as he swung open the door to the back room.

The room was dark. That's all that really needed to be said. A single hanging light swung over the table, casting a shallow light across the faces of almost everybody.

"Ah, Percy. I'm glad you could make it," the man who spoke was one of the men whose face was never seen. The Boss.

"Now that all my main associates are here, it's time to talk about the most pressing matter at hand. The new up and coming mob, the Golden Swords." Many of the men sitting around the table sneered.

"Now, now. I know you all assume that we control, New York City. That, in fact, is a lie. We dominate. Stolls, you said that you have thoroughly harassed Chrysaor and his members?" Percy would never ask how the boss seemed to know every little thing about any gang.

"Yes sir. We stole from him, we harassed his associates, we threatened him. Nope. Nada. Nuthin. He ain't scared. Yet." Travis Stoll spoke. His younger brother, Connor, nodded his head to validate the statement. This mob was the most organized in the city. The Stolls controlled the Intimidation Branch. They specialized in thievery, threats, and assassinations. They and their agents often carried out the missions to scare off competitive mobs.

"Di Angelo, Underwood, can you confirm?"

Percy's cousin and best friend nodded. They controlled the Intelligence Branch of the mob. Their agents kept their ears to the city underground. They could find out many important facts through there. It was quite easy for them to blend in. Grover was a young man who could easily fit in, what with his ordinary weak and fragile disposition. Nico, on the other hand, could be quite intimidating. Percy guessed that's why he preferred to blend in with the shadows instead of talking it out with the targets.

The Boss sighed. "I did not want it to come to this, but Chrysaor has forced my hand. Jackson, you're up."

Grover had a sharp intake of air. Percy controlled the Enforcer Branch. They were called upon only when someone went against the mob.

"What type of raid you want boss?" Percy smirked.

"Kill them all. Leave no one alive. The message needs to be sent."


Sorry for the hold up everyone. It has been a busy past week for me. This chapter was a bit longer, so that's good, but I have the third chapter in the works. It was meant to be part of this chapter, but I wanted to get this out to you. I am very close to deciding on a beta, but if you want to volunteer, by all means, apply. I think we had about 330 views, so thank you everyone! Please review. I love to hear from you. Thanks. Peace, y'all.