A guy writes one chapter and doesn't bother explaining things yet, and two guys flame him on the premise of the series? WTF? Seriously! Be constructive with your criticism or just close the f-ing page. As for the rest of my generous reviewers, thank you for your opinions. They helped me clear up a fair bit of my own confusion.

This chapter resolves how the series interact, so at least I won't get complaints about that anymore.

Enjoy.

"English"

'thoughts'

"Japanese"


Oh Zeus. Oh Zeus brother of Hades father of Ares son of Gaea!

"Medusa!"

I stared at her face in surprise and horror long enough to see the humor in her eyes and realize exactly how bad an idea that was as I froze...

...in total shock, confusion, and a bit of embarrassment at the fact that I was staring one of my most dangerous foes ever dead in her most dangerous weapons, and I was still made out of flesh and bone instead of cold stone.

She started giggling. She tried to hide it by covering her mouth with her hand, but the look on my face was apparently too much and she just started laughing outright.

"Rider-san? You know Percy-san?" Sakura asked in earnest confusion.

Sakura's voice snapped my mind out of its inaction and into hero mode. Sakura was an innocent who would need protecting from the monster in front of me…who looked like her older sister, was apparently on good terms with her, and whom she was completely relaxed around. And back to crazy confusion. 'Ok, let's try figuring this out: 1) I was staring Medusa in the eye and wasn't turning to stone—at least most of me wasn't,my pants reminded me. 2) Sakura looked like Medusa, maybe she was one of her sisters? No, she said herself that they'd faded, so maybe her daughter? But that made no sense, she looked completely different the last time we met, Sakura is at least my age, and it looked like Medusa had been in America for decades judging by her garden. Just what in Hades was going on!'

While my mind shorted itself out trying to figure the situation out, Medusa -Rider- composed herself. "Yes, Sakura, we know each other. Did you manage to find everything for dinner?"

"Hai. Except the water. Do you think Sempai will mind?" She asked apprehensively.

"I'm sure he'll be fine without it," She reassured her. "Now as for you, Percy..."

She stepped up to me and I jumped back, slamming against the wall, Issei's katana I'd wrapped in his scarf and thrown over my shoulder in an impromptu sling digging in at an odd angle. She just stepped further, until she was barely a few inches away from me, her chest lightly brushing mine. She caught my eyes again and held them with what I was sure was mystical powers and most certainly NOT sultry lust that was making my heart beat a mile a minute and my entire body burn with excitement. No, it definitely had nothing to do with her luscious lips quirking into that smile that made so many promises that would screw me over in so many ways, or the tent forming in my pants at what more than half of that thought meant, or that her chest was pushing against me so softly, or that—

"The dining room is down the hall. Sakura will show you to the bathroom to wash up. And don't forget to take off your shoes." And with that she was walking—no, sashaying. That's what the hypnotic thing she was doing with her hips was—down the hall, grocery bags in hand. Bags that she must have taken from me while I was too busy wishing I was single to notice.

I groaned at the surge of emotions the encounter had left me with. Just what in Tartarus had I gotten myself into?


Sakura showed me where to put my sneakers, then led me to the bathroom and left directions back to the dining room before leaving to assist in the kitchen. I washed my face and then just stood there, staring at myself in the mirror as my mind and body slid out of battle mode, unable to wrap my head around anything that had happened.

I entered a tunnel on a bus in New York in the morning, and exited on a different bus in Japan at about the same time. How was that even possible? Well, I knew how it was possible. Magic. But the question was who in the name of Zeus had done it? All of the Olympians were busy arming for the war, and Kronos was busy consolidating his forces. Was this another of the Titan's schemes?

And then there was that bird-man, Issei. He definitely wasn't a harpy—largely for the fact that he was a HE—which meant that he had to be a Japanese monster. And if he was, then did that mean that Japan had its own gods that were still active? And if they were, what could they want with me?

On top of everything else there was Medusa. What was she doing here? And how was she alive again for that matter? It was supposed to take years—decades or centuries even—for a monster to respawn. And here she was in a body that was completely different. Hot, curvaceous, supple…and he really needed to stop thinking about her like that! Just because she was a thirteen on a scale of ten did not mean she wasn't still a murderous bitch. And why was she's living with Sakura and this Sempai she mentioned? It was all so confusing.

My stomach growled, reminding me that the last time I ate was breakfast—in America—immediately broke my train of thought. I shook my head to clear it once more. I could worry about what god was planning what later. I thought better on a full stomach anyways. I just had to keep on my toes around Medusa and I'd be fine.

Probably.


I found the dining room easily enough with Sakura's directions. What I found when I opened the door was…definitely not what I'd expected. I couldn't quite say what I'd expected, but it definitely wasn't a short haired brunette woman in a striped green and yellow blouse and green dress chasing a platinum haired little girl in a white t-shirt and black short shorts—at least, I hoped that's what they were—around the room with a wooden sword.

Sakura was at the right end of the room in what I guessed was the kitchen. She was staring at the scene resignedly with a tall, lanky, red haired boy in a blue and white long sleeved shirt and apron.

Before I could decide how to approach, well, anyone, I felt a hot breath on my ear and the most sensuous voice I'd ever heard said, "Quite active, aren't they Percy-kun?"

I jumped forward with a loud yelp. I spun around to find Medusa standing just outside the door with a Cheshire grin on her lips. She had switched from her purple turtleneck to a white button up blouse that wasn't all that buttoned up. Well, at least I wouldn't have a problem avoiding her eyes anymore.

"Daijobu, Percy-san?" Sakura said. "Ano, are you OK?"

I looked at her in her white dress and pink apron, concerned confusion clear in her eyes, and forced myself to relax. "Y-yes, Sakura-san. She just surprised me."

The little platinum haired girl cocked her head at me and studied me curiously with her crimson eyes. Then she turned to Sakura and started asking her something in Japanese. "Sakura-san, who's this stupid looking person?"

"Illya-chan, that's not nice!" Sakura kinda-sorta-woulda-coulda scolded. I really couldn't be sure.

The little girl crossed her arms and stuck up her nose in a clichéd superior pose. "Hmpf. So? He looks dumber than Onii-san."

The brunette woman took advantage of her distraction and finally landed a hit on the little girl's head. While the kid was groaning and rubbing her head in pain, the brunette took an imitation of her superior stance. "Hah! Take that you annoying shrimp. And Shirou isn't that stupid-looking." Whatever she said made the red haired guy in the other room smile. "Even if he is pretty stupid." And there went the smile as he facepalmed.

The guy sighed and then turned to Sakura. "Sakura-san, why don't you introduce your friend?"

"Ah, yes. I forgot." She laughed while clasping her hands. "Everyone, this is Percy Jackson-san, from America." Then she turned to me and said, "Percy-san, this is Shirou-Sempai," the red head bowed with a nervous smile, "Illya-chan," the little girl smirked at me, "Fujimura-Sensei," the brunette saluted me with her sword and said "Yo~", "and you already know Rider-san…" and here she trailed off, really not sure how to question my history with the other lavenderette.

"Yes, we know each other quite well, don't we Percy-kun?"

The flirty way Rider said that got everyone's attention and sent a chill down my spine. I wasn't sure why, but I was sure that if I survived the night, Annabeth would kill me.


Dinner was incredible. Sure, sitting on the floor to eat was kinda uncomfortable, I dropped my chopsticks five times, even after Sakura showed me how to hold them, I couldn't identify any of the dishes, none of the food was blue, and I could hardly follow any of the conversation among the regular residents. But the food was incredible; it beat most restaurants I'd been to.

Shirou was sitting at one end, Illya on his left and Sakura on his right, next to me, with Medusa across from me and the Fujimura woman between us, opposite Shirou. Sakura and Illya seemed torn between vying for Shirou's attention, and staring at Medusa. The Gorgon kept…shifting in…ways that made interesting things happen to her bre-shirt. She kept leaning across the table for dishes, and at one point I was sure I was going to see all of her…shirt. And the way she was eating—I'm pretty sure you didn't need to stick your chopsticks that far in your mouth and lick them clean every other bite.

I'm pretty sure that my face when she plucked that pickle out of her cleavage to nibble on was as red as Shirou's and Sakura's. Illya and Ms. Fujimura seemed to be getting as much of a kick out of it as Medusa herself probably was.

When dinner started to die down, the Q&A began. It was the normal stuff: What brings you to Japan? New York, really? Do you know any celebrities? Is that rumor about them true? What about that other rumor about that other celebrity? I thought all Americans had one of those? What about this generic misinterpretation? Wow, who'd have thought? And so on. I don't know how I managed to get through it without letting slip anything about Gods, monsters, or any of the other important things, but I did.

When everyone was finally done eating, Medusa offered to help Shirou clear the table and helped bring in dessert. Finally I was able to identify a dish just by looking at it—ice cream—and what's more, it was blue! I would tell you what flavor this perfect delicacy was if I could remember, but…Medusa did this-this thing with her tongue every time she took a bite of hers, and she took…so many bites…so much tongue…

I, and almost everybody else, was finally able to pull myself free only when Ms. Fujimura—who I had picked up hated being called 'tiger' for some reason—shouted something and then rushed out, followed more sedately by Shirou and Sakura.

In the very uncomfortable silence that followed I once more lost control of my mouth. "Um, what just happened?"

"Fujimura-Sensei is an English teacher at Sakura-san and Emiya-kun's high school. She stayed too long and just realized she has homework to grade. She does this all the time," Medusa said promptly.

I flinched visibly at her voice. I'd lowered my guard over the relaxing dinner, but now that it was just us in the room, I needed to be on full guard. Us and Illya, who decided that she wasn't going to let us slip into a tense silence; a silence I would have preferred if I'd known what she planned to ask.

"So, how do you two know each other?" She asked curiously.

"Um, well, that's a bit complicated-" I floundered, only for Medusa to interrupt.

"I dated his father." She sighed wistfully, "Oh the times we had…I really should see if he's willing to…catch up." I was mildly creeped out by her perverted grin and far-away eyes as she said that.

Illya just gave her a blank look that screamed 'Bullshit.' "OK, how do you two really know each other?" She demanded.

"Like I said, I dated his father," Medusa said again, as Shirou and Sakura returned. "It was a wild affair back in the day."

"Oh? And when was this?" Illya said sarcastically. "You haven't exactly been around for all that long!"

"It was back before I became a monster and Antihero of course."

Well, that shut everybody up. Shirou, Sakura, and Illya eyed me worriedly and I returned the look in concern. It was so quiet I think I heard a leaf hit the ground outside. How did these things always spiral so far out of control? And what did she mean by Antihero?

"Then I was right. Percy-san is a Heroic Spirit," Sakura said numbly into the silence.

"A what?" I asked blankly. The others looked at her with surprise, which carried over on their glances at me, along with…maybe a bit of fear?

Then Shirou said something in Japanese. "Sakura-san, what are you saying?" His tone was questioning, but the look on his face was hardening along with his posture.

Sakura replied in a low monotone, her face as expressive as a marble slate. "He appeared out of nowhere, he battled with a Tengu and won, he didn't flinch at being called a Demigod, he recognized Rider-san as Medusa, and she admitted that he'd cut off her head. With all of that...it makes sense that he is the ancient Hero Perseus."

I just stared at Sakura stupidly. Shirou and Illya were glancing between her and me in deep concentration, like they were trying to figure out a puzzle, but wary of what they would find when they solved it. Medusa had a similar look, but it quickly degenerated into mindless, uproarious laughter.

When she collected herself, barely, she started speaking to her housemates in Japanese so broken by laughter that I doubt I'd have been able to understand her if she'd been speaking Greek. "Percy*snigger*kun isn't a *giggle* Heroic Spirit*hahaha!* yet! He-he-he will *teeheeheehee* be *gasp* though, in due time. *snort*titter*giggle*"

"Then-then he's not…? He's really not a Heroic Spirit? And there isn't going to be another War?" There was desperate hope in Sakura's eyes as she said whatever she said to Medusa.

I finally had enough. "Would somebody please explain just what the hell is going on!"

And thus began the inevitable crossover info-dump to explain the Who, What, When, Where, and Why of the two separate universes a higher power (Moi) deigned to put together. And so the Fate cast learned of the persisting existence of the ancient Gods, the travails of their demigod children, and Percy's proper heritage. And Percy learned of the hidden culture of Magi, their generally reclusive nature, and of the (dis)continued Holy Grail War.

…And after trying to figure this exact conversation out ever since I finished the first chapter, I've decide to Hell with it. I only need to clear up two points for the plot as-is, and that's all you're getting. If you want to know about the two worlds, then go to their wikia's, or, God forbid, pick up a book!

By the time the explanations were finished everyone had returned to their spots around the table with fresh cups of tea and a plate of cookies. Illya, in as calm a tone as she could muster after the off-screen info dump, finally opens the conversation. "Okay, I can buy that the Gods are still running around messing with mortals, and that there are still monsters out there causing even more trouble. I'll even take Rider's word that this stupid faced twerp is a demigod. But there is no way you're going to convince me that the same monsters from millennia ago are running around, constantly respawning, and no one in the Association knows anything about it. It's impossible!"

'I really wish they wouldn't all sink back into Japanese when they're being serious.' I sighed and glanced at Sakura.

"Illya-chan said that she understands, but doesn't believe that this could all go on without the Mages Association's knowledge," Sakura translated helpfully.

"Ah. Thank you."

"It's not like a monster can return the same day it was killed," Medusa said. "It takes at least several years, and more often a generation, for most monsters to return to the mortal plane, longer if they've grown weary of their existence. And there are many from the old times who have allowed themselves to fade away."

"Ano, Rider-san? If you don't mind, how many times have you died? When was the last time before the Holy Grail War?" Shirou asked slowly, piecing together his sentence in English.

"Oh who knows?" She sighed. "I've lost count other the millennia. I think once every century or two would be about right. My most recent death would be… two years ago. By Percy-kun."

Medusa's statement was met with a disbelieving silence. Then the shoe dropped and Illya started laughing uproariously. "Ahahahahaha~! That's a good one! There's no way some stupid rookie managed to kill you, not when even Saber couldn't finish you!"

Medusa just grinned mischievously at the much younger girl. "Usually that would be the case; but, I was a little distracted with trying to seduce him and turn his friends into lawn ornaments at the time." Oh look, they all shut up again, and now Sakura's blushing almost as much as I am. 'We have so much in common…Stop that! Remember the Wise Girl! The cute, mousy Wise Girl who'll kill you if she ever finds out about this!' "Plus I wasn't exactly at my best. I'd been active for over fifty years at that point and was very much out of shape."

"Oh my," Sakura gasped lightly. "What did you do for fifty years?"

"Not much. I ran a road side dinner in new jersey and would pay the bills by selling the statues of my customers." Everybody formed sweatdrops at the light way she spoke about her activities; like she was commenting on the weather. "That reminds me, I should really check in on that place. Several of those statues would make lovely garden features. I'm sure Tosaka would enjoy them."

"Ooookaaay…moving on. You still haven't explained how all of this can be going on behind the scenes," Illya accused. Medusa's blasé attitude seemed to have annoyed her.

"Well, that's a little complicated…" I began. Illya glared daggers at me. "Gulp. Er, well…there's this thing called the Mist. It's like a physical manifestation of human disbelief, since most mortals want to look at the world and not see the darkness—not believe that all the fairy tales and legends are grounded in truth. Monsters take advantage of that and shape the Mist around them to disguise their presence. Even when you know about the monsters and the Mist, it's still hard to see past the disbelief."

The three magi just blinked at me in varying stages of understanding, not quite getting it. I sighed and looked imploringly at Medusa. She grinned flirtatiously and addressed the others. "Using human disbelief in their existence as a template, monsters and deities create a malleable glamour based on a perception filter called the Mist to make mortals ignore the truth and see only what they believe they should. Anyone who can see through the Mist is most probably related to a god or monster, and is considered a target by both sides."

I sighed as looks of comprehension came on their faces. 'I don't know what she said, but it looks like they understand now. Which reminds me,' "Sakura-san? I've been wondering…that bird-guy, Issei, how could you see him through the Mists?"

Medusa answered for her. "Because it wasn't there. The Mist is much thinner in Japan. The people are more spiritual, and belief is much stronger. On top of that, as magi, she, Shirou, and Illya all have experience with monsters and gods."

Everyone slipped into contemplative silence, sipping their tea as they let their minds process all of the days many revelations.

"Well, it's getting late. We should probably start turning in. Will you be staying, Percy-san?" Shirou asked carefully.

"Thank you for the hospitality, Emiya-san, but I really need to get going. I…have a lot of people waiting for me back home." I said as politely as I could. Sure, I had no idea how to get home, but I couldn't inconvenience them any more. 'Besides, I doubt I'd be able to get any sleep knowing Medusa was right down the hall…'

"There's no rush. By sea, you'll be able to return to America in a matter of hours; and, even if you left in the morning, the beach is only a short drive away," Medusa said as she stood to help Sakura collect the tea cups.

"What!"


The walk to the beach was blessedly silent. Illya had talked Shirou into carrying her early on, and was even now chatting with the boy and Sakura as they led the way to the beach. Medusa followed behind them at a respectable distance, and I kept a similar distance behind her, to keep an eye on her behin—to keep an eye out for trouble! I just wanted to keep her where I could see her so she couldn't attack my behi—attack me from behind! I was definitely not staring at her bu-back, and she was definitely not giving an extra jiggle every time she walked under a street light.

…Oh, who was I kidding. I was gonna need a cold shower every time I thought of tonight for years to come.

No one was more surprised than me when we finally reached the moonlit seashore. The first blast of salty sea air made my supernatural senses explode. "Why couldn't I feel this? I should have been able to locate the ocean if I was this close..." I said as I walked dazedly past the others to the waterline, and into the surf.

I just stood there, feeling the power of the sea in my blood, rejuvenating me. I heard dolphins chirping in the distance and knew that my ride was here. I turned back to my new friends on the beach and waved goodbye, then walked completely into the surf to meet my escort.

"Um, are we sure we should just let him walk into the sea like that?" Illya asked. 20 meters out Percy rose from the water on the backs of two dolphins with an excited shout. "…Never mind."

A man fishing on a small jet of rock continues whistling a tune as he puts up his snakeskin boots, grinning as Percy shows off. He takes a mighty swig from the gourd at his side, and settles in to continue fishing. "Just a matter of time now."


In the clouds far above New York City, densely guarded from mortal ken, the lights of industry burned as Mount Olympus geared for war. On the highest peak in a chamber of glimmering marble, two of the Big Three, the magnificent sons Kronos, Zeus and Poseidon were talking of a matter whose importance was unknown to them.

"Brother, what news?" The king of Gods asked his seafaring brother.

"Percy has returned to my domain and is on his way to Camp. But there might be a problem."

"Hn. What has my nephew done now?"

"The port where he returned to the sea was in Japan."

"Oh no, not Japan." Zeus groaned. "By the Styx. What is it with your son and causing us grief?"

"Pfft. Like none of your own heroes haven't done the same."

Zeus glares lightning at his brother, though he knows it will do him no good. "Regardless. What do those Island gods want with him?"

"There is no way of knowing until they make a move," Poseidon shrugged. "We can only hope that they withhold their plans until after our father's return to Tartarus."

"Ugh." Zeus slumped wearily in his throne. The weight of war fell heavily on him. "I need a drink."

"You could always lift Dionysus's punishment."

"If things go well in this war, I just might give my son a reprieve. We'll need the supplies for the victory party, if we live to see it."


I needed these two chapters to establish the crossover and familiarize the characters. Stuff will happen later.

As it stands, I could leave this here and be happy with it. I still have to get my hands on 'The Lost Hero' and reread the series before continuing. I know there will be a quest, I just need to get that pesky war out of the way. Doing the Research is important. Besides, this has been distracting me from my more important stories for months!

If you enjoyed it, review. Tell me what I got right and what I got wrong. If you didn't like it, well, I'm sure you know what buttons to press to find something you do like so you can forget you ever saw this.

Also, if anyone could tell me how to get that accenting line over a letter, I'd be much obliged. -_- ;