A/N: I hope you guys/girls liked chapter 2! I like where this story is going, so I will definitely continue it. Please leave reviews! Thanks! Enjoy!

Percy Jackson was exhausted. Apollo could be a tough trainer when he wanted to be. Percy had been training for a week now. Heracles thought he deserved a break, so Zeus decided to give him a month off before he went to fetch the apples of immortality. Meanwhile, Percy was training his ass off with Apollo. It was a known fact that he horrid with a bow, but, with help from Apollo's blessing and training, he was almost a dead shot. Most of his shots would land an inch or two away from the bullseye, which was a huge improvement since when he first began. Somehow the arrow flew out of the training room and broke a vase. Let's just say that Apollo wasn't elated that Percy broke his favorite vase. Percy was getting progressively better, and Apollo knew that after a month's time, Percy would be hitting the bullseye every shot.

When it came to swordplay, he was a natural. Percy agreed with Apollo; the stygian iron sword wasn't the perfect sword for him. It felt slightly strange and unbalanced in his hand, but not enough to make a significant impact on his skills. Other than the balance issue, the sword was great. He sparred with Ares mostly, practiced archery with Apollo, and worked on his control over water with Poseidon. Even though it had only been a week, Percy was already as powerful as most of the demigod heroes in the world, like his brother Orion.

Percy had never met Orion, but he could tell that Apollo hated the other son of Poseidon. Orion was only twenty-five, and he had managed to capture the goddess of the hunt's eye with his hunting skills. That was the main reason that Apollo seemed to hate him. Percy liked Apollo, but he was a little too overprotective of Artemis and her eternal maidenhood. Apollo thinks that Orion is a threat to Artemis's maidenhood, and fears that Artemis will truly fall for him. To Percy, it looks like that's exactly what's happening. Artemis only allows Orion, not any other males, to be around her and her Hunters. Artemis seems pretty fond of Percy's brother, and everyone sees it. Percy wanted Orion to be safe, even if Orion didn't even know that Percy existed. Percy didn't want to see his half-brother get hurt.

Percy was brought out of his thoughts when someone knocked on the training room door.

"Come in. It's unlocked." Percy called as he impaled a dummy with his sword.

Apollo walked in, grinning at his favorite demigod. Percy was the perfect son that Apollo always wanted. Apollo knew his training was over, so now all he had to teach Percy was how to be smooth with the ladies. Apollo chuckled at the thought.

"What's so funny?" Percy asked, raising his eyebrows at Apollo.

"Oh, nothing. Anyway, I came to tell you Zeus changing his mind again." Apollo told him.

Percy looked at him incredulously. "Are you serious?"

Apollo nodded. "Hera got pissed. She ordered him to do twelve labors or something ominous like that. The apples of immortality will be his eleventh task. So you got to help him through the first ten until Heracles actually gets what he wants."

Percy frowned. "I don't understand. Why not just get apples now? It's what Zeus wants, right? Why wait?"

Apollo laughed. "Because you don't screw with Hera. If Hera wants something done, she gets it done. I imagine she would start killing Zeus's kids for the next millennia or so if Zeus didn't let her do what she wanted to."

Percy nodded, accepting the reasoning. "But why does Hera want him to do all this stuff? There's got to be more to this than Hera just hating him because he's Zeus's kid."

Apollo winked and pointed a finger at Percy. "Smart, Percy. Yes, there is more to this story."

"And?" Percy prompted.

Apollo's grin died and he turned serious. "Heracles murdered his own family a couple days ago."

Percy's sword clattered to the ground. Percy just stared blankly at Apollo. Apollo just nodded. "I know what you're feeling. I felt the same way."

Percy finally found his voice. "What did . . . why did he kill them? I knew he was a bastard but I didn't know he was a murderer!"

"He went crazy in a bloodlust. Some people suspect Ares, and others suspect Dionysus. Personally, I blame Dionysus. I don't think Ares will do anything like that anymore. Now Hera is punishing him for it." Apollo explained.

Percy frowned again. "Why is Hera punishing him for something he didn't do?"

Apollo shrugged. "She's probably just using it as an excuse to make his life hell. Hera hates him a lot."

Percy nodded. "You got that right."

"I'll be going. Just wanted to let you know you'll be with Heracles a long longer than we expected. Happy training." Apollo wished, and then left the room.

Percy sighed and sheathed his sword. This was going to be wonderful. Note the sarcasm, please.

THREE YEARS LATER

A blond-headed man that looked to be twenty-three or twenty-four strolled through the forest at a leisurely pace. He was dressed in a regular, white Greek chiton with a bronze chest plat over it. He wore brown, leather braces on his wrists and brown, leather sandals that wrapped up his legs and stopped at his shins. One hand loosely held the end of a club while the other half of the club rested on his shoulder.

He had a cocky smile on his face as he ran his free hand through his wavy blond hair. The man's name was Heracles. Heracles was feeling pretty good that day. He had completed ten of his labors now, so all he had left was the garden of the Hesperides, which was where he was going now, and then the had to kidnap Cerberus. Heracles scoffed. As if that was going to be difficult. Heracles was the greatest demigod alive! He could do anything! With his bare hands! He was the prophecy child! Zeus even told him! What couldn't Heracles do?

Little did Heracles know that a boy with eyes as green as the sea with a little ring of gold was stealthily following him by jumping from tree branch to tree branch, nor did he know that the green-eyed boy had been following Heracles for the past three years. The boy wore lightweight armor that made almost no noise when he walked, a black cloak that fluttered behind him, a hood, and a cloth mask under it that covered up everything but his eyes. His sword was in his sheath, and his bow was in his hand. Throwing knives were all tucked safely on the front of his armor, where the boy could reach them quickly. His bracelet was still wrapped around his wrist, ready to transform into a midnight-black shield.

Percy Jackson was tired. Not physically tired, mentally. It was absolute hell having to follow this guy around to three years. He had to keep up with Heracles, so he rarely talked to anyone. Apollo would sometimes appear, but he could never stay long. So, Percy was lonely. And Heracles wasn't exactly the best guy either. Over the span of three years, Heracles only reinforced Percy's opinion of him. He was egotistical, cocky, unintelligent, and many other unflattering adjectives. Heracles was a massive, manipulative jerk. Heracles managed to trick people into helping him, just so he could get what he wanted.

Percy was brought out of his thoughts as they reached the garden. Then, Percy almost fell out of his tree. A pretty—no, beautiful—girl came out of the garden and met Heracles at the entrance. She had flowing, glossy black hair, and an upturned nose that Percy thought was attractive; she also had mesmerizing, volcanic-black eyes, coppery skin, and a slender body. Percy thought he might faint. Heracles and the girl talked, and she ended up giving him a hairpin. Heracles also promised to take the girl with him when he left.

Percy was surprised. Was it finally the time where Heracles found another woman? Well Heracles was lucky, because this girl, who looked about fifteen or sixteen, was astoundingly striking. Percy shook himself out of his thoughts and began to watch Heracles fight Ladon. There was no way that Percy could interfere in this labor.

Meanwhile, Zeus had called the Olympian Council together. Once everyone was there, Zeus spoke.

"Iris, please make a large screen and show us Heracles's eleventh labor in progress. Garden of the Hesperides." Zeus said.

This Iris message formed a large screen on the wall by the doors, floating in mid-air so everyone could see it. It zoomed in on him and a beautiful girl.

Heracles smiled. "Why do you wish to help me, pretty one?"

The girl blushed crimson. "Because I do not wish to see you die."

"Well how can you help me?" Heracles asked, giving her a cocky smile.

The girl reached into her hair and grabbed a hairpin. She pulled it out and handed it to Heracles. "How will this help me, beautiful?"

The girl gave a shy smile as her cheeks turned red again at the compliment. "It will turn into a sword when you need it most."

Heracles smiled and began to walk, but the girl grabbed his arm. "Can you . . . take me with you when you leave? When my sisters find out I helped you, I will be out casted and my immortality will go away. Will you please take me with you?"

Heracles flashed a flirtatious smile. "I will always help a beautiful maiden."

With that, he rushed into the garden. Then Iris zoomed in on a tree, revealing a nearly invisible boy dressed in all black.

"Percy!" Apollo shouted with glee.

Poseidon smiled at his son, even if Percy couldn't see or hear them through the one-way Iris message.

Percy watched in boredom as Heracles used the pretty Hesperid's weapon against Ladon. They fought for two hours until Ladon lay on the ground, incapacitated. Heracles plucked an apple form the tree that Ladon was guarding and walked past right past the girl, without saying anything.

The smile on the girl's face faded. "Aren't you taking me?"

Heracles scoffed. "As if. You would just slow me down."

Heracles kept walking as the girl began to cry. She jumped forward and latched onto his arm, trying to stop him. "B-But you c-can't leave me here! I-I have b-betrayed my home! I-I'll have n-nowhere to go!"

Heracles sighed and pushed her off. "I have no use for you, girl."

The Iris message was picking up all of this. It took Apollo, Hermes, and Ares to hold Artemis back from flashing down there.

"HOW DARE HE? THAT GIRL SACRIFICED HER IMMORTALITY FOR HIM AND THAT IS HOW HE REPAYS HER?" Artemis was screaming.

Percy was having similar feelings. He glared at the so-called greatest hero of the age distastefully. If this was the best hero, Percy would hate to see the worst.

The girl attempted one more time to slow him down, and Heracles apparently grew weary of telling the girl to stop. Heracles whirled around and punched the girl in the face, knocking her on her back. The girl yelled with pain, and clutched her cheek with her hand.

On Olympus, Poseidon had to step in and help hold Artemis down. "LET ME GO, YOU BASTARDS! ZEUS'S JACKASS OF A SON JUST ASSUALTED A MAIDEN! LET ME GO! NOW!" Artemis yelled.

"She was annoying him!" Zeus reasoned, trying to back up his son's action.

"What is he doing now?" Demeter asked curiously, looking back at the screen.

The whole Council gasped.

To say Percy was pissed was an understatement of an understatement. Who punches women? Especially the one who help you? Percy wanted to intervene so badly, but Apollo told him not to unless it was an extreme case. This was bad, but it wasn't extreme yet. Then, Heracles's eyes filled with lust as he straddled the girl.

"Actually, I think I do have a use for you." Heracles said, smiling cruelly.

He pulled at her chiton, and as the first seam tore, a black blur slammed into Heracles at such a speed that Heracles flew twenty yards back and into a tree.

The gods on Olympus gasped. "He can't do that! He isn't supposed to interfere!" Zeus yelled.

No one replied, not even Artemis, because they were too focused on the screen.

Heracles stirred, sat up, and gazed up to see a boy covered in black armor. Before Heracles could do anything, Percy rammed his fist into Heracles's nose, breaking it painfully. Heracles yelped and grabbed his club that was on the ground and swung it at Percy. Percy dodged and punched Heracles in the jaw, sending him staggering back a few steps.

"Who dares attack a son of Zeus?" Heracles demanded.

"A son of Poseidon, you prick." Percy replied before drawing his sword.

Heracles roared in anger and flung a massive lightning bolt at Percy. Percy sidestepped and charged Heracles. Heracles swung his club horizontally, but Percy ducked and slammed the hilt of his sword into Heracles's gut.

Thunder rumbled dangerously in the sky, as if it was warning Percy. Zeus was probably pissed that Percy was beating the Hades out of his favorite son. Percy figured they were watching the fight from Olympus.

Heracles took a step back and flung a lightning bolt into Percy's chest sending him skidding backwards and stopped next to the girl, who was still lying on the ground, crying. Percy hopped up and his eyes caught sight of a pond nearby. Percy smirked as he sheathed his sword.

"You surrender? Smart choice, sea spawn!" Heracles roared.

The girl looked up at her savior, who now had no weapon. "W-What are y-you doing? D-Don't give up, p-please! He's g-going to r-rape me!"

Percy just smiled warmly at her. "Don't worry. I won't let him touch you."

Heracles yelled and charged, his club high above his head.

The gods on Olympus were freaking out. Artemis yelled, "What is your son doing, Poseidon? He's giving up! Coward!"

Poseidon just had a knowing smile on his face. "You will have to eat your words soon, Artemis. I know what he is doing."

Ares stayed expressionless, but on the inside, he was elated. He was about to watch his favorite demigod beat the shit out his least favorite one. How awesome is that?

"I will kill your son for this, Poseidon!" Zeus roared.

Poseidon's trident materialized in his hand. "You won't touch my son!"

"Brothers! Look at the screen!" Hestia yelled, interrupting the gods' argument.

Percy felt the familiar tug in his gut as the entire pond shot out and hit Hercules at a speed that would make Hermes jealous. The water wrapped around Heracles's body, restraining him. The only thing not covered in water was his head. Percy reared back and punched him repeatedly across the face, until his face was bloody and bruised.

"That girl was kind to you and you decided to leave her, punch her, and then try to rape her? What is your problem?" Percy asked incredulously, his voice laced with disgust.

Heracles opened his mouth, probably to justify his actions, but Percy rammed his left fist into Heracles's teeth, causing him to yell in pain. Percy then looked at the sky, knowing that the gods were probably watching.

"Have fun with you asshole—I mean son, Zeus!" Percy shouted as he manipulated the water again. It formed into a watery arm, and began to copy the moves of Percy's right arm. He squeezed his fist, making the water tightened around Heracles. He then leaned back and his arm went through a throwing motion. The watery hand reared back and flung Heracles straight up into the air, towards the clouds. Percy knew that Zeus would catch him, so he didn't worry about Heracles coming back down.

Percy then turned to the dark-haired beauty, who was still lying on the ground, clutching her injured cheek and staring at him warily. Percy walked up to her and bent down so he was crouching. The girl instinctively crawled backwards, trying to get away form him.

"Whoa, whoa! I'm not going to hurt you, I swear it on the Styx." Percy said.

Thunder rumbled in the sky, confirming the pledge. The girl still looked skeptical, so Percy drew his sword. She jumped and tried to run, but Percy flipped it around held the blade part, offering the girl the hilt. The girl frowned.

"If I do something you don't like, stab me with my sword." Percy explained.

The girl slowly took the blade and set it down next to her. Tears began to leak out of her eyes again and her body shuddered ever so slightly with tears. Percy moved forward and gently pulled the girl into a hug. She didn't even resist. She buried her face into Percy's neck wrapped her arms around his neck. He felt his neck began to feel wet as he muttered soothing words into the girl's ear.

"Ssssh . . . it's okay. Heracles is gone now. I'm here. What's your name?" Percy whispered.

The girl sniffled, and nuzzled her face deeper into his neck, which sent pleasant shivers down Percy's spine.

"Zoë. Zoë Nightshade. I was a Hesperid until . . . well, you know." She explained, her voice a little muffled.

"Okay, Zoë. I'm Perseus, but you can call me Percy." Percy replied softly.

She sniffled again and Percy rubbed her back. Then he gently pushed her back and handed her a square of Ambrosia from his pocket.

"Eat a small bite." Percy ordered.

Zoë obeyed, and the bruise slowly faded. "Thank you, Percy."

Percy helped her onto her feet, where she looked frightened again. "What do I do? I have nowhere to go!"

"Zoë . . . I . . . I can't take you with me either. It's my job to shadow Heracles, no matter how awful it is." Percy explained.

Zoë looked like she was about to start crying again, but before she could, Percy spoke again.

"But . . . I know someone who can take you in. Someone who can give you immortality and a family." Percy said reluctantly.

Truthfully, Percy wanted to take the girl with him. He had only been around her for several minutes, but a new feeling in his chest was stirring when she was around, and Percy never wanted it to go away. It was a mild form of . . . content. Pleasure. Percy didn't know why, but just being in the presence of Zoë made him feel comfortable and at home. But Percy knew Zoë couldn't come with him. Heracles still didn't know that Percy had been following him; he probably thought that Percy was a random demigod interfering. No doubt he would be punished for his interference, but he would still have to follow Heracles to his twelfth labor, and possibly longer, so taking Zoë wasn't an option, no matter how much he wanted it.

Zoë's eyes lit up. "Family?"

"Have you heard of the Hunters of Artemis?" Percy asked.

Zoë frowned, and then slowly nodded. "The virgin maidens that follow Artemis?
Percy nodded. "Yeah. She takes virgin girls into her hunt, where she will teach you to fight and survive."

Zoë smiled for the first time, and Percy thought he might faint on the spot. Subtle dimples formed on either side of her mouth, but it caught Percy's attention. Her teeth were as white as can be when her soft-looking lips parted to reveal them.

Zoë's smile faded and looked at me timidly. "Will I ever see you again if I go?"

"I don't know. Hopefully. I'll pray to Artemis." Percy responded.

Percy turned, but Zoë grabbed his arm and turned him back towards her. Percy looked at her quizzically, but Zoë ignored him. She put her hands on his chest and rose on her tiptoes, before softly pressing her lips against his. Percy subconsciously wrapped his arms around her waist, as her hands found their way to the back of his neck. His body was overloading on emotions, mixing and swirling into a new feeling that Percy didn't recognize. To both their disappointment, they had to break apart to get air.

"Thank you for saving me, Percy. I . . . I hope we meet again." Zoë told him, her volcanic eyes boring into his own sea green ones.

"Me too." Percy responded, a little giddy from the kiss of gratitude.

Percy prayed to Artemis, and sure enough, she appeared in a flash of silver. She was in her twelve-year-old form, with her auburn hair pulled into a ponytail, and her silver eyes shining with grudging respect.

"Perseus. I will overlook the kiss this time, but I won't do it a second time." Artemis warned.

Percy bowed, surprising Artemis. "Yes, Lady Artemis. Take care of Zoë for me."

Artemis nodded and stretched her hand out to Zoë. Zoë grabbed it and smiled one last time at Percy before the goddess of the hunt and her new member flashed out of the forest. Percy sighed. Time to go deal with Zeus.