AN: Hey guys, thanks for all the reviews. The chapter where Percy goes back to camp will be after this chapter…or the next…or the next. *Evil Grin* Nah, don't worry; it'll be coming out after this chapter. Oh, by the way, I've got a new rule on my story. I need to get at least 8 reviews before I update. It's inspired by the other fanfic writers. Yeah, I know, you all want to kill me now. But I'll take this rule down when we get to a hundred reviews, okay?

Fifteen years and six months after WWIII

Ten o' clock in the evening

In Vancouver, BC

A little girl in a brown nightgown, barely six, opened the door. Rain was pouring, and a teenager was standing outside panting, holding a dog as big as a grown German Sheppard. Or, as you could say, a hellhound. A few others were milling about around him. The boy was looking around, seeming panicked. The little girl let him in without a word and shut the door quietly. She studied the teenager curiously. Jet black hair, wet from the rain, sea green eyes, his green t-shirt ripped and bloody.

"Where are your parents? I need to speak to them," said the boy urgently.

The girl smiled, and shimmered into an older woman. "Why, Perseus, is it that you do not recognize me?"

"Lady Hestia," the Percy bowed hastily. "Why are you here?"

"To guide you." She said simply."Come to the kitchen."

They went into one of those warm, cozy kitchens. "What is the matter with her?" Hestia said as she stroked the hellhound in Percy's arms. "Well, I think she broke her leg. We've been running from monsters, and I'm out of ambrosia and nectar," replied Percy. "Mmm. I see. Here is some nectar. Pour it on her leg." She gave Percy a small green bottle, and took out a plate of warm milk from the microwave.

"Here you go, guys," she smiled as she put the dish on to the kitchen floor. The other hellhounds immediately lapped it up.

"So," she turned to Percy who had healed the hellhound's leg. "How are your wounds?"

"Um, not too bad, I guess…" Percy stammered.

"Perseus, let me see," said Hestia softly as she sat Percy on a chair and gently lifted his shirt. The wound was bad. Really, really bad.

Five long claw marks tore from his shoulder down to his stomach diagonally, and the wounds still bled heavily. "Perseus, it's a wonder you haven't died from blood loss yet. Hand me the bottle."

Slowly, she tipped the bottle over his wounds. Soon all that remained were five scars on his body. "Now, shower and go to sleep. I'll take care of your dogs."

Percy nodded and walked wearily up the stairs, tired by all that monster fighting and glad to finally have a good night's rest.

Hestia sighed quietly and turned her attention to the hellhounds.

Five hours later

Percy sat on the guest bed with his head in his hands. He groaned. The dreams were tormenting him again. Being a half-blood was definitely bad. A little brown head peeked around the door. "Percy, are you okay?"

Percy smiled wryly. "Changed your form again?"

"I like being a child. Having trouble sleeping?" She padded softly into the room and sat together with him on his bed.

"It's the dreams, isn't it?"she asked softly.

Percy nodded. "What are you dreaming about, Perseus?"

Percy shuddered."Disturbing things. I can't tell you. I just…"He straightened up, angry now. I just can't believe my friends would betray me like that. I feel like that, even now. I saved their lives so many times! And they always seemed like best friends, especially Annabeth …" he trailed away. "Well, they chose their path," Hestia's voice older than she looked, ancient, even. "You know why you are different from them, Percy? Why you are so pure? Because you fight for good, Percy. You don't fight for your parent. Many of the gods admire that." She hopped off the bed, suddenly back to child mode. "Now, go to sleep. I promise you won't have any more dreams, okay? Goodnight, Percy." The door closed gently behind her. Percy thought about what she said, and in a few seconds, he fell to a dreamless sleep.

Next morning

A black muzzle nosed his way into his master's arms. "Ugh, Skia, get off. Come on. I hate getting up in the morning, and you know that. Off, 'kay?" The hellhound jumped off obligingly, and sat at Percy's feet. Percy stretched, and got up. He patted the dog's head. "Well, looks like your leg's all healed. Don't you think?" Percy wiped off hellhound drool and headed into the bathroom.

A few moments later, Percy walked down the stairs, and was greeted by five hellhounds, all tumbling over each other to lick him. "Good morning, Percy. Here, eat this." she nudged a plate of bacon, ham and egg towards him. "Percy, you must head back to camp. Two of your siblings have arrived, and one is dangerously close to thirteen. Exactly six months and a week. The answer to saving your father lies in the camp. By the way, I've mended this." She pushed a box towards him. "Hecate has woven some kind of spell into it, so the mist around you will be stronger. You only show your wings when you open them. Have you practiced flying?" Percy nodded. "Good, it is an advantage to combat, as you have discovered. Lastly, a gift. I know you have a knife and Riptide, but you will need more." She picked up a long object wrapped in grey-green silk. "This is SeaShadow. Learn to fight with two swords. Use both wisely. Goodbye, son of the sea god." Percy bowed to her. "Goodbye, my lady." With that, Hestia disappeared in a column of flame.