Chapter 3

The trio of Calypso, Poseidon, and Percy found themselves in a neighborhood in upstate New York. The young man looked around clearly expecting flying cars, and kids on skateboards that could circle through the air, but was disappointed to see not much had changed. Looking around at the peaceful neighborhood the son of the seas asked, "So mom finally moved out of the city? I knew she never cared much for it. I guess she and Paul got married?"

Poseidon nodded gravely as if his son had just asked him when doomsday was, "Your mother is a Goddess amongst mortals. She deserved the happiness she found with this Paul, and the happiness that will follow when you are returned to her."

Calypso's hand tightened around Percy's bicep, and she was so excited and nervous it was palpable, "Come on Percy your mom has waited long enough."

The house before them was modestly sized, and blue. Percy felt the strings on his heart be pulled when that fact registered in his mind. It wasn't the largest house in the neighborhood, but it looked like home as he walked up the white steps leading up to the white picket fence home.

Percy wasn't sure if Calypso was more excited about taking in everything around her or meeting his mom for the first time. The smile she held on her face was one he often saw, but she seemed to be glowing with joy at the all possibilities of what was to come. The son of the seas had also dreamt of this moment for years. A chance to see his mom again, and introduce her to Calypso. In all those fantasies he would do so as Husband and Wife, but this was just as good. When they made it to the door he raised his hand and hesitated, but a soft squeeze from Calypso gave him the courage as he wrapped his knuckles three times.

A long few moments passed before a man in his early forties opened the door. He had longish salt-and-pepper hair, wearing a black t-shirt. He had the television actor smile on his face that he had been wearing when Percy had seen him years previously, and he greeted them openly, "Well hello what can I-"

Percy smiled weakly at the man, "Hello Paul. Is my mother here?"

The man stared between Percy, Calypso, and this his eyes flashed to Poseidon in brief recognition. Percy knew there was a story there, but figured he would find out later. The man didn't answer Percy as he shouted, "Sally!"

Percy's heart skipped several beats at her name alone. Paul's eyes never left Percy, and a woman's voice came from around the corner, "Paul what is it?"

She approached the door, and Paul stepped aside where Percy's legs nearly buckled. In fact had Calypso not been holding onto him he was certain he would've collapsed right then and there. His mom was just as beautiful as he remembered, and age did not change that. Her blue eyes widened, and froze upon Percy for many long minutes. The streaks of grey in her hair had increased, but that was the only sign of age on his mother that Percy could see.

Tears sprung to her eyes as she struggled to find words or even move. Percy managed to croak out after a long moment, "Hi mom."

Whatever trance she was in was broken at the sound of his voice and Calypso released him just in time for the boy to be embraced by his mother. The two held each other for several long moments neither saying anything, Percy felt the tears on his shoulder though as he was crushed by his mothers never ending hug. He heard the words directed towards Poseidon, "Thank you for bringing our son home."

Percy imagined Poseidon only nodded in response as his mom separated from the hug, but kept both hands on his shoulders staring at him with the intention of never letting go, but Percy said, "Mom there is someone really important that I would like you to meet.'

Sally's eyes darted to the girl in the white chiton beside him, and a soft smile crossed her face, "Of course. You must be Calypso."

Finally the mother let go of her son, and turned to embrace the other girl who looked quite surprised at her warm welcome. Percy heard the whispered words, "Thank you for saving my son."

When they separated Calypso gave the woman a bright smile, "We saved each other Mrs. Blofis."

Sally immediately turned back to her son, "My gods Percy you have barely aged a day since I last saw you, but you look so much stronger, and-"

"Sally there is much to discuss, perhaps we could continue this inside?" Poseidon interrupted.

The woman nodded immediately, "Yes of course. Please come in."

Sally put an arm around Percy, clearly not letting him even walk on his own until they made it to the living room where Paul offered to get drinks and snacks while they all talked and took their own seats.

Sally kept a hand on Percy's shoulder as if she feared he might disappear, and she asked, breaking the silence, "You being back must mean there is another prophecy. Your father told me it was a possibility that day the Titans were defeated. Is it as bad as the last?"

Poseidon shook his head, "No Sally. While this prophecy is dangerous it does not promise death as the last Great Prophecy did. Though this is a new one, there are a lot of unknown factors in this equation. I am afraid he along with his companion will be right in the middle of whatever happens next. His freedom did not come for free. Olympus has decreed that if Perseus wishes to keep his freedom then he must help capture an enemy of our pantheon, and fight off a possible invasion."

Paul brought in a tray of cookies, and drinks, "What kind of invasion?"

Poseidon reached for a blue cookie and winked at Percy as he sat back taking a bite, "One from outer space."

Paul nearly spat his drink out as he choked on the liquid, "I'm sorry come again?"

Poseidon explained to Paul and Sally the circumstances around Percy's freedom, and by the end of it Sally looked disturbed, "This is dangerous Percy. I am very happy to see you, but maybe it was safer on the island."

Percy was about to respond but Calypso put a hand on his, "Mrs. Blofis-"

"Please call me Sally dear."

Calypso beamed at the woman and continued, "Sally. Three years may have passed in the mortal word, but for Percy and I it was likely 6 or 7. We have been each other's only company in this time and in the early days we would always talk about what it would be like to experience the world together again, and it started to upset us realizing it may never be a possibility so we just stopped talking about it. When Lord Poseidon promised us a chance at freedom, and to stay together we had to take it despite the danger that may follow. Percy and I want a shot at a real life together, and this is it."

Sally looked at Percy and Poseidon for confirmation, "6 or 7 years?"

The two men nodded while Percy looked at Paul, "You are taking all this remarkably well Paul."

The man let out a low breath of air that was nothing like a sigh because it seemed almost excited, "Oh I am freaking out, but this is amazing. I studied all these things in school, and when Poseidon came to us to explain what happened to you I thought maybe, but now here you are...you have certainly done a lot of growing up, but you haven't aged a day."

Calypso laughed musically, "If you think he looks good for his age then I am flattered in comparison."

Paul gave the young woman a smile, "The young woman from the legends. I have so many questions!"

Poseidon grinned at the group, "There will be plenty of time for that later. Percy, Calypso, you have 24 hours to get acclimated, and then your point of contact will arrive. I must take my leave. I will inform Olympus of your decision though I am sure they are already aware."

Thunder boomed overhead, and Poseidon winked, "We will be in touch my son."

With that the man stood, and began to dissolve into a breeze that came from the back of the house. Paul stared at where the lord of the seas had been standing for several long moments before Sally said, "There is so much we need to catch up on."

Percy gave his mom a grin, "Not much from us honestly. It was a lot of the same stuff everyday. We built our home together a few times, did a lot of gardening, I learned to take care of cattle, and we trained together. It was a quiet life, but it was good."

"Because we were together." Calypso said happily.

Sally looked between the two, and seemed to only be grasping the concept that her son who only looked to be sixteen years old had been living with this young woman for the last at least six years. Coming to terms with that might take some time, so she shook her head softly smiling at her son, "Some of your friends have checked in with me over the years. Grover comes by a few times a year to say hello. As does Nico. They are both such good boys."

Percy let out a sigh of relief at the names of his two greatest remaining friends, "I am happy to hear they both made it through the last Great Prophecy."

Sally frowned slightly, "Nico has changed. He is quieter than before, and that is saying something considerable. Whatever happened in the last conflict was bad. Possibly even worse than what happened with the Titans Percy. Perhaps you should see to them to ensure they are still okay."

Percy nodded at his mothers wisdom, and Calypso squeezed the hand she had been holding. The Titaness knew that Percy would take some guilt about not being around to help his friends in whatever happened with the Giants, but it sounded like they managed with at least his best friends coming out alive.

"When was the last time you saw them?" Percy asked quietly.

His mother seemed surprised by his question, "Nico's last visit was about six months ago. He was very sad when you chose to go into exile for Calypso. He felt that had things been different when he lost his sister he could've saved you and...Annabeth."

A lump appeared in Percy's throat at her name. It always did. At one point he thought he may have been falling in love with his best friend, and the kiss she left him at Mount St Helens left him in disarray for a long time. Her passing was hard on him for the year that he had returned to fight, and his grief lasted at least one more when he went back to Ogygia. However time healed his wound as did the young woman next to him, "I am glad he is okay. Last time I saw him he was a part of the conquering army of the dead. His father and he saved our asses on the door steps of the Empire State Building. We never got a chance to speak after the battle, but I am glad to hear he is alive."

His mom seemed to relish in the sound of his very voice, because nothing could phase her smile, "After camp had been burnt down, and demigods were taken to Olympus things changed. Demigods were safer up there, and the threat of the Titans and Giants was gone, but now it seems as if it never ends."

Percy leaned forward at this, "What can you tell us about the things going on in the world? Dad made it seem like there were things that led up to this possible invasion."

Paul excitedly toned in, "Oh dear tell him about Iron Man!"

It was then Percy and Calypso learned about all the strange things happening in the last three years, and what led to his mom and Paul moving out of the city. After the Hulk broke Harlem, and a legion of metal bots attacked Stark Expo it seemed like it was time to move to a safer area away from the big city life.

If Calypso was amazed by the stories she was blown away when his mom had pulled up Youtube and began showing them videos of the things that had been happening since Percy's exile. They both frowned when they saw the distorted videos of an incident in New Mexico that no one was quite sure what happened, but Percy cheered up when he heard about Captain America coming out of the ice. He had watched animated TV shows about the man when he was a kid, and the fact that he was alive in the flesh was something of big news in the world.

The family talked and conversed through the day, and Percy's mom insisted on taking them all out to dinner to celebrate. It seemed the woman did not want to let Percy out of her sight to even go to the bathroom at first, but as the day progressed she seemed to relax, if only a little.

Percy and Calypso were given a change of normal clothes as they prepared to go out for the evening. Percy was wearing some of Paul's older jeans which were when he claimed to have put on a few extra pounds, and a light blue flannel that looked like something he might've worn to school. Calypso on the other hand was wearing a light sundress not unlike things she would've worn on the island. It had a more modern fabric obviously, but the girl looked absolutely stunning in it.

When they left the house Calypso was amazed by the modern world, and asked questions faster than the group could process. Needless to say the girl said she clearly gone to Elysium when she got her first taste of pizza.

The details of the prophecy were discussed through dinner, and Sally seemed worried, but accepted this one sounded like they at least had a chance at victory unlike the Great Prophecy where defeat was almost certain.

Paul over dessert had the most questions, "These Avengers do you think it refers to the others like you Percy? They lost their homes, and maybe by defeating this threat they get a chance to avenge it? What about the mist falling does that mean I will be able to see everything like Sally?"

Calypso and Percy both looked thoughtful at his question but Calypso answered, "I don't think the other demigods will be having much interaction with this prophecy. If the King Of Olympus thought he could do this without us we would still be on our island. These Avengers must be someone else, or maybe even Percy and myself. Perhaps we are destined to lose during the invasion, but avenge the world by defeating their forces in the end. Prophecies are usually unclear until after they unfold."

Percy nodded, "As for the mist falling...yes it would mean that you and everyone else in the world would be able to see the horrors around you. It may sound like a nice thing for you in particular Paul because you would be able to understand my mom, and even my life better, but I can assure you it would lead to a World War. Nowhere would be safe. Monsters would begin to attack mortals for the first time in thousands of years, and without weapons of mass destruction I don't think the mortal people of the world would stand a chance. Demigods would likely be hunted to extinction, and Olympus only knows what the governments of the world would do when they realize there is a city in the sky above New York."

Calypso shrugged, "Lord Ares would be able to turn their own weapons upon them. In the end the gods would likely have to war with the mortals, and it wouldn't end well. Mass extinction level event. The mist was created for a reason, and we must keep it stable at any cost."

Paul's jaw dropped at their explanations before promptly snapping it shut, "Mist evaporating is bad. Got it."

Sally put a hand on her son's, "What will you do Percy? You've come back to the world a man, but you still look like a teenager."

Percy shrugged, "My birth certificate is still good though. I may look like a teenager, but I am twenty years old in the mortal world despite my body being about six years behind on aging. After the threat has been dealt with Calypso and I will start attempting to accumulate resources. We have talked over some plans before, and have a few ideas of how we could make money."

Calypso nodded with a supremely happy smile as she took a final bite of her ice cream, "Yes, and of course that would mean us asking to impose on your generosity for sometime while we find our feet in this world."

Sally didn't even hesitate, "You are both welcome in our home for however long you need too. You are my son Percy, and I believe I owe you at least two more years of room and board since you didn't get a chance to collect all eighteen years."

Paul nodded in agreement, which Percy was very grateful for, "Thanks mom. I don't know much about this contact we are supposed to meet with tomorrow, but it means a lot that Calypso and I can have a place to stay in the meantime."

Dinner wound down as they left the restaurant, and began walking towards the car. Percy had an arm around Calypso thinking this was the best day of his life when he heard a low growl. The two froze at the sound as Percy dropped his arm around the girl reaching for his pen, and a massive hellhound bounded out of the bushes heading right at them.

Sally screamed, and Paul yelled, "What in the heavens name is that?"

Percy barely comprehended the actions behind him as he swiftly moved Calypso behind him, and surged forward to meet the stalking monster. The exhilaration of a real battle surged through him as the dump truck sized beast dove at him. Easily the young man slid under the hellhound to where it had to scramble around to face him. This proved to be a mistake as Calypso had come around, and kicked the beast hard making it fly to the side. Percy then surged forward and drove his sword into the monster's face making it instantly explode into dust.

Percy stared at the golden dust having nearly forgotten that monsters did that when he felt a pair of arms wrap around his waist, "Percy are you okay?"

Heaving for breath the young man nodded, "Yeah thanks it's just been a while!"

Before the two could start to leave a swarm of people came running towards them with their phone waving in their faces, "Wow dude who are you! You guys totally just beat down the biggest dog in history."

Another screamed, "What was that thing? No dog other than Clifford is that size!"

"That girl kicked it like a ten pound puppy. She has super strength! Are you two super heroes?"

"Where did that golden sword come from? I saw them in the restaurant and he certainly didn't have that."

Percy's eyes widened as the realization that the mortals had just seen what had happened hit him. Thankfully Calypso was on it. With a snap of her fingers she said, "That was just a rabid dog that attacked my boyfriend. There is nothing else to see here. You are mistaking a sword for a large stick. You should get your eyes checked."

This seemed to confuse the group of about ten people that had been trying to surround them. Calypso then dragged Percy by the arm, "We are going home now. Have a goodnight."

The words seemed to be echoing in their heads, and genuinely confusing everyone else. Paul and Sally however were far enough away from the group that clearly her magic had no effect on them. Paul was stuttering when they approached, "You just killed that massive dog. It could've killed all of us."

Percy gently shook the man, "Paul we have to get out of here. Other people will have seen what happened, and they haven't approached yet, but they will. Calypso just tricked the mist for now. It may not hold."

Calypso looked back at the confused crowd, "It definitely won't hold. The mist totally failed around the hellhound. We have to go."

This seemed to snap Paul out of attention as he unlocked the car, and everyone jumped in. One thing was for sure in everyone' mind. Percy was back to the normal world, and his long history of bad luck had followed.

(A/N) Another chapter in the books as the story progresses forward. In the next update we will get to meet this point of contact Poseidon mentioned, and maybe even meet some of our Avengers face to face. Next update will come along on Sunday September 26th, instead of Monday because I start vacation the next day and will be gone for 10 days so you will get the update a day early!

There has been a positive response to this story so far, and I think if the trend continues I will do my best to crank up the updates, and attempt to do one every week, so please keep up the words of encouragement, and thank you all so much for reading. I hope you enjoyed it, and I will see you all in two weeks!

A special thanks to Monaxia for beta approving chapters.