A/N: Thanks to everyone who reviewed. Here's the next chapter.

This chap is dedicated to my little friend Bookgirl, whose OC I stole for this AU.

Disclaimer: I own nada.

Please review!

Chapter Two

Percy Jackson strode confidently into the abandoned Broadway theater that his gang called home, determined not to let them see the frustrated look in his eyes. He sat in one of the few remaining seats and watched his family go about their daily lives.

Annabeth Chase, his second-in-command as well as his girlfriend, was standing at the table they had in the middle of the theater, pulling Nico's hair out of his face as the little boy ate the chocolate chip cookies she'd made him.

Percy sometimes felt bad about sending Nico and his sister out on jobs. They were new members of his gang, The Heroes, and it was obvious Bianca didn't like the idea of her little brother stealing. But, as Percy had explained to her, stealing was the only way to get food, the way they lived. The way Percy lived, it was the only way to get his father's attention.

"Percy, I don't think you should send Nico out anymore," Annabeth called to him. "He's too innocent."

"I don't mind," Nico assured her, his mouth full of cookies. "I like it. Can I have another cookie?"

Annabeth laughed and nodded. "Sure, kid." She glanced at the back of the theater as she got another cookie for Nico. "Percy?"

Percy looked up at her, not really listening. "Hmm? Oh, uh, yeah, sure, I'll… I'll send someone else next time."

Annabeth frowned. "Percy, are you all right? You look… upset about something."

Before Percy could reply, Bianca came into the hideout, money sack in hand. Percy watched her silently as she walked up to the stage and pulled up the trap door set in the middle. She dropped the cash into the hole under the stage, then came to sit at the table next to her brother, avoiding Percy's gaze the whole time.

Percy sighed and rubbed his face tiredly. Annabeth glanced back and forth between him and Bianca, frowning thoughtfully. "Percy? Are you okay?" she asked again.

"I'm fine," Percy managed through gritted teeth. He could feel a headache coming on, and he stood from his seat. "I just need some air. I'll be back later."
Luckily for him, Annabeth knew better than to question him further. But she watched him suspiciously as he grabbed his things from the table and slipped out into the night.

Once Percy was out of earshot, Annabeth turned on the twelve-year-old sitting in front of her. "Do you have any idea what that was about?"

Bianca shook her head nervously, refusing to meet Annabeth's gaze.

"Do you think I should have offered him a cookie?" Nico asked her, chocolate spread across his mouth.

Annabeth laughed and handed him a napkin. "I think he's all right without one, Nico. But thanks for offering."

Nico grinned at her and wiped his face. She turned back to his sister. "How'd the job go?"

Bianca shrugged, playing with her hands nervously. "It was all right," she said softly.

Nico pulled at Annabeth's sleeve. "I thought it was fun," he told her. "I showed this lady my Mythomagic cards, and she called me sweet. And then she gave me a piece of candy, but it was orange so I didn't eat it. And then, while Bianca was stealing the money, the man who was guarding all the money vaults taught me how to play poker, and I won two dollars!"

Annabeth ruffled his hair. "Good for you, kid. Now, I need to talk to you guys. I think Percy's—," she cut herself off and looked around the theater, frowning. "Where's Leo?" she wondered aloud. "LEO! GET DOWN HERE! GANG MEETING!"

"Aw, Annabeth, do I have to?" a voice called from above. "I'm almost done fixing my lighter!"

Annabeth sighed. "Leo Valdez!" she called. "Get down here right now, or I'll take that lighter and shove it up your—"

"All right, all right, I'm coming!" Annoyed grumbles could be heard as a boy climbed over the theater's balcony and dropped down to meet them.

Annabeth frowned disapprovingly at him. "Leo, how many times have I told you to use the stairs? You're gonna break something."

Leo smiled mischievously at her. "Stairs are for mortals. I'm a hero! Or, at least… that's what Percy says."

Annabeth shook her head. "Never mind Percy's heroism, Leo. We need to talk."

Leo jumped into a seat across from the table, grinning. "Are we talking about the Winter Solstice? I'm so excited—I got Thalia a Christmas present."

Annabeth rolled her eyes. "Leo, why do you even try? Thalia doesn't like you."

Leo crossed his arms. "I can still get her a present, can't I?"

Bianca took off her cap so she could see them better. "Wait, Annabeth, who's Thalia?"

"And what's the Winter Solstice?" Nico asked, speaking slowly so as to pronounce it correctly.

"It's the shortest day of the year," Bianca explained to him.

Annabeth nodded. "Right. And it's also the day when a meeting is held between the street gangs of Manhattan. Mostly, the Heroes and the Huntresses."

"Huntresses?" Bianca asked.

"Our rival gang," Leo explained. "Led by the beautiful Thalia. Percy hates her."

"He doesn't hate her," Annabeth contradicted. "But honestly, they bicker so much, I'd swear they're related."

"They're not really, thought, are they?" Leo made sure. "Cause that'd be really awkward, if Percy became my brother or something when I marry Thalia."

Annabeth rolled her eyes. "Never gonna happen, Leo. Now, let's get back on track. We need to talk about the Winter Solstice."

The three younger children settled back in their chairs and waited for Annabeth to continue. She took a deep breath, then began her speech.

"This year's Winter Solstice is going to be different from past ones, for two reasons," Annabeth told them. "The first is that a gang from California is coming so that their leader can make a deal with Percy and Thalia. The gang is called the Legion—not the best name in the world, but we can't judge them."

"It's better than the Heroes," Leo muttered, making Nico giggle.

Annabeth glared at them both before continuing. "When the Legion comes to meet with us, you three will stay back while Percy and I have the meeting. We'll be meeting with Thalia and her second-in-command, Phoebe, as well as the Californian delegates, whose names I believe are Jason and Reyna. You have to stay out of the way, most likely with the other Huntresses and the rest of the Legion. However, you can't get in the way. I think Percy's anxious about this Solstice, and if you guys ruin it for him…" She let the threat hang in the air.

"I'll keep Nico out of the way," Bianca promised.

Her little brother shrugged. "I'll have my Mythomagic cards—I'll be fine."

Annabeth turned to Leo, her gaze suspicious. The boy raised an eyebrow. "You think I'll be trouble? Dude, I'll be alone with a bunch of girls. I won't be wasting time bothering you and Percy!"

Annabeth sighed. "All right. Moving on. The second reason this Solstice will be a bit different…" Her gaze slid over to Bianca and she watched the girl carefully as she spoke. "The Hunters are recruiting again."

Once Percy was far enough away from the hideout that he couldn't be seen, he slipped into an alley and unfolded his cape. The large fabric billowed in the slight breeze, the lightning bolt imprinted on it rippling dramatically. Percy fastened the cape around his neck, then moved on to the more recognizable parts of his costume.

First, the mask. It was made of plastic and tied behind his head with a piece of string, but the mask's design sent rival gangs running. It was shaped like a trident, with the three points extending a few inches above his head. The rest of the mask covered his sea-green eyes, making him look dark and mysterious—or so he liked to brag.

Then there was the sword. Anaklusmos. Riptide, in English. It wasn't really harmful, made of unsharpened steel, but it looked dangerous, and that was all Percy needed. He slid the sword into his belt loop and slipped out of the alley, starting towards his mom's apartment. About halfway there, something grabbed his arm and pulled him into a dark alley.

Percy hurried to unsheathe his sword, but a sharp blade suddenly pressed against his throat, stopping him.

"Stay back, Lightning Thief Lord," a soft, feminine voice growled. "This is my territory."

Percy peered through his mask at the stranger. It was dark, but he could make out long blonde hair streaked with blue, and bright blue eyes that shone with defiance. If she hadn't been holding a sword to his neck, Percy would've said she looked familiar. In fact, she looked very familiar!

Percy reached up and pulled his mask off. "Elizabeth? Elizabeth Tiles?"

The girl stiffened, frowning in confusion. Then she hesitantly pulled her sword away. "Percy Jackson?"

Percy leaned casually against the wall of the alley, studying the girl curiously. "Elizabeth, what are you doing here? Especially with that sword?"

Elizabeth glared at him. "You're not the only one with a secret, Lightning Thief Lord. I have a gang of my own."

Percy laughed. "You do, do you? And what's it called?"

Elizabeth stuck her sword point into the ground and leaned on it, smirking at him. "It's called… The Princess Andromeda."

A/N: So there's that. I hope you liked it. If anyone's curious, Elizabeth has a really complicated back-story in her original story, which probably won't be completely explained in here, so if anyone wants to know about her, let me know and I'll PM you. Please review!