The jog to the battlefield was demoralizing for two reasons. One- Blackjack, my magic, flying, most annoying horse, wouldn't answer my calls. Two- Annabeth and I got the unwelcome pleasure of witnessing the masses of the Titan army converging on the bridges like a fat mouse making it's way toward a hole in the wall. Only that mouse was a horde of demigod-blood thirsty monsters and that hole leads to my city. My city.

I sprint by Annabeth, making a beeline for the nearest bridge. I vear East and soon I'm blocks away from the 59th street bridge. I'm reaching into my pocket for my pen/sword Riptide, when Annabeth yells after me.

"Wait! Percy, the rivers! The bridges mean nothing if we don't seal off the shore!"

For Zeus' sake, am I that hardheaded? Turning on my heel, I come to a stop to face her. To my surprise, she's a block back; Normally, she gives me a run for my money in a race.

"Jeez Percy, have you been racing Blackjack?" She takes deep breaths in an attempt to slow her breathing. "Might explain why he doesn't want to answer your call."

A grin works it's way across my lips. "Nah, you just might be losing a step."

After a well deserved scowl, I shrug and turn back toward the bridge. The fat mouse has almost made it's way to the hole...

I feel Annabeth place a hand on my back.

I shiver and take an involuntary step. I look over my shoulder with a look between amazement and horror. Annabeth, confused, stares back at me; which I conclude is a good thing. She doesn't understand my shock, or why I moved away from what must have been meant as comfort. The way she placed her hand tells me she's still winded, resting it my lower back. The small of my back, to be specific. But she doesn't know of it's significance...does she? No, she was confused when I recoiled. No one could possibly know.. Though somehow.. It's hard to put it past her.

I recover and try for a smile, but am rewarded with a sneer that breaks my heart. She returns my gesture with as much tenderness as I hers. I'm cooking up an explanation, sure I've hurt her feelings, when somehow, I'm off the hook. Annabeth's malicious smirk, suddenly gives way. Is that a trace of a smile I see?

"You can be so awkward, Seaweed Brain. Snap out of it, we've got a battle to fight." Definitely smirking, she turns and jogs off up Fifth Avenue.

My brain is thinking of a good enough comeback to spit back at her, while my eyes follow her down the block. Her golden blonde hair swings back and forth, helped along by a slight sway in her running. What is she doing? No wonder she couldn't keep up, her hips are swaying right and left, more and more as she continues down the first block. Annabeth is moving like...she's a woman. Sure enough, looking up and down her body, I trace a faint hourglass figure. And from the back, I'm given a very clear view the bottom half of the shape. A bulge begins to push against my armor as I find myself locked on her. I start after her, eyes trained squarely on Annabeth's lower hourglass. After what seems like forever, I finally catch the jiggle I was hoping for. Her slender form obscures it, but Annabeth definitely sports a very developed figure.

My brain somehow breaks through and reminds me of the ensuing doom on Manhattan, how can I be thinking like this with War coming. With effort, I pry my stare and begin focusing on how to find the spirits of the Hudson and East. We have the right idea. The Atlantic Ocean is where the two rivers would flow to, but how could I get their attention. I'm just some demigod.

You are not 'just some demigod'.

I almost face plant instantly. I manage to steel my legs and come to a stop, avoiding too much flailing. My sloppy stop catches Annabeth's attention. Now only half a block away, she glances over her shoulder, frowning to as why I stopped. I swing my head back and forth, but find, outside of Annabeth, I am alone.

"Come on, we've got to keep those boats off our shore." She calls after me.

And those boats are not your greatest challenge, my son.

I catch my breath. Poseidon. Somehow, I'm relieved to hear my father's voice. Too many deities have used as a pawn, and that may even include him, but I would take him over any of the other Olympians. Not just because he's my father, but because he always seems to have a eye out for me. Not all immortals can say that about their children.

I close my eyes.

Dad?

I begin to concentrate. I imagine the sea, all the world's salt water churning together. The great, pent up energy that precursors all life.

"Percy, hurry! What are you doing?" Annabeth squeals. I don't acknowledge her, focused on what must be an important message from my father.

Ah, there we are. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to hold the connection. Things are getting ugly around here, Poseidon thinks in my head.

Oceanus crawls closer everyday. Soon, at this rate, I will have to meet him in battle. Meanwhile- BOOM! My head is filled with an explosion resembling the sound of a torpedo on impact. Dizzy, I fall to one knee and clutch my head.

Yeah. It's bad. I have forced my family to retreat to the depths of the Pacific. I will not allow them to be harmed in this battle. But that is not what I want to tell you. Percy, as I unleash my godly form to face Oceanus, my forces will gain strength. I will simply radiate power. Power that they will feed on. My children will also feel this. Some more than others.

I feel Annabeth's arms around my neck, pulling me to my feet. Still focusing on Poseidon's voice, a bit dazed from the explosion and desperate not to lose his message, I don't make out what she might be telling me, only the surprisingly calm in her eyes and the reassuring nod of her head, urging me foreward. I look toward the direction. The Atlantic shines against the sun. We're only a block or so from the ocean...

Poseidon must be using some God magic to keep this chat going because the longer I listen, the harder it becomes to think. I squeeze out-

What do you mean?

You will be especially dangerous during this time. My children will hear the call of the Ocean. My mortal children- you- are a special case. They will gain power enough to crush armies, level mountains, flood countries- single handedly. But this will also be a moment of weakness for them- that means YOU. Too much use of my godly power will burn their bodies to ashes.. Do what you must.

I gulp. I will gain direct power from the Sea God. If I use too much of it, my body will incinerate. Yet he tells me to do "what I must".. Of course he expects me to defend the city with my life. I'm prepared to die for it and everyone here. But the way Poseidon says it.. It almost sounds like he expects it to come to that..

You will know when I take to battle. Zeus forbids our most deadly form, even pure mortals will notice our taking to it. He calls it "disturbance". But to repel this attack, I fear it will be inevitable. The power of the Ocean will transcend your strength. I can't stress enough the use of this power. It could save Olympus...Or topple it. Perseus, once you gain this, the fate of New York will rest solely in your hands.

My legs all but give out on me. I fall against Annabeth, wishing I wasn't having this conversation. Poseidon sounded calm enough, but for a God, he seemed uneasy. Even he doesn't trust the fate of Olympus with me. I don't blame him.

That's...great. I'll try not to mess up.

I'm treated to a hefty sigh. I do not distrust you. I.. do not trust what you may do.. For whom you may do it for. Athena was right to warn you about your fatal flaw. If it comes down to Olympus or a handful of friends, Percy, you must- BOOM! The wrenching of another explosion from the battle tears my focus and shocks my body two feet into the air. If the last one was a torpedo, this one was a nuclear strike.

The sound of my Father fades and gives way to a single word. Percy