A/N: I don't own the rights to any of the Percy Jackson series or it's characters. That right gaoes to Rick Riordan. I also don't own the rights to Animorph including it's title.

I am, however, the person who posted 'The Tales of...' series.

This is not a crossover of the Percy Jackson series with the book/tv series Animorph, despite what you might think from the title. I just thought it be a proper name for the ability to turn into animals since that's why the tv/book series 'Animorph' was called that in the first place.

Also, ever since I got my latest Laptop I been stuck using Google Docs and Copy and paste my chapters and for some reason when I save what I paste any formats I made is turn to normal format. I even have to bold the chapter titles, but as I'm sure you noticed sometimes I forget to do that. So anything I normally itallilize like thoughts come out normal text. A/N at the beginning and end of each keep the format changes because I add them without copying and pasting from google doc.

If you haven't read this yet, read:

Animorph Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief
Animorph Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Sea of Monsters
Animorph Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Titan's Curse
Animorph Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Battle of the Labyrinth
Animorph Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Stolen Chariot
Animorph Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Sword of Hades
Animorph Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Bronze Dragon
Animorph Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Last Olympian

Animorph Percy Jackson and the Olympians The Staff of Hermes

Annabeth and I were relaxing on the Green Lawn in Central Park when she ambushed me with a question.

"You forgot, didn't you?"

I went into red-alert mode. It's easy to panic when you're a new boyfriend. Sure, I can turn into some of the scariest animals known, and I fought monsters with Annabeth for years. Together we'd faced the wrath of the gods. We'd battled Titans and calmly faced death a dozen times. But now that we were dating, one frown from her and I freaked. What had I done wrong

I mentally reviewed the picnic list: Comfy blanket? Check. Annabeth's favorite pizza with extra olives? Check. Chocolate toffee from La Maison du Chocolat? Check Chilled sparkling water with twist of lemon? Check. Weapons in case of a sudden monster attack? Check. I even brought my breast plate packed up to put on in order to protect my mortal point if we have to fight.

So what had I forgotten?

I was tempted (briefly) to bluff my way through. Two things stopped me. First, I didn't want to lie to Annabeth. Second, she was too smart. She'd see right through me.

So I did what I do best. I stared at her blankly and acted dumb.

Annabeth rolled her eyes. "Percy, today is September eighteenth. We had our first kiss one month ago. It's our one month anniversary."

Oh, yeah. I remember now. It was on my birthday and we just defeated the Titan Kronos. Too be honest it didn't help my concentration that Annabeth looked so good today. SHe was wearing her regular orange camp T-shirt and shorts, but her tan arms and legs seemed to glow in the sunlight. Her blonde hair swept over her shoulders. Around her neck hung a leather cord with colorful beads from our demigod training camp-Camp Half-Blood. Her storm-gray eyes were dazzling as ever. I just wish that their fierce look wasn't directed at me.

Do people celebrate stuff like that? I thought. I have to remember birthdays, holidays, and all anniversaries?

I tried for a smile. "That's why we're having a great picnic, right?"

She tucked her legs underneath her. "Percy... I love the picnic. Really. But you promised to take me out for a special dinner tonight. Remember? It's not that I expect it, but you said you had something planned. So...?"

I could hear hopefulness in her voice, but also doubt. She was waiting for me to admit the obvious: I'd forgotten. I was toast. I was boyfriend roadkill.

Just because I forgot, you shouldn't take that a sign I didn't care about Annabeth. Seriously, the last month with her been awesome. I was the luckiest demigod ever. But a special dinner... when had I mention that? Maybe I'd said it after Annabeth kised me, which hadsort of sent me into a fog. Or maybe I was just a rotten boyfriend.

Before I could think of what to say when a sudden streak of light made me blink, as if someone had flashed a mirror in my face. I looked around and I saw a brown delivery truck parked in the middle of the Great Lawn where no cars were allowed. It took me a while to decipher the wods on the side due to my dyslexia but I managed to read

HERMES EXPRESS

"We got mail," I muttered.

"What?" Annabeth asked.

I pointed at the truck. The driver was climbing out. He wore a brown uniform shirt and knee-length shorts along with stylish black socks and cleats. His curly salt-and-pepper hair stuck out around the edges of his brown cap. He looked like a guy in his mid-thirties, but I knew from experence he was actually in his mid-five-thousands.

Hermes. Messenger of the gods, and among the Olympians I get along with, but not exactly someone I was hoping to see right now even if I wasn't about to reveal how much a terrible boyfriend I am right now. Normally when the gods appear in front of a demigod it means they have a quest they need us to do. And whether you are on their good side or not, the gods don't normally take no for an answer.

He looked upset. He kept patting his pockets and wringing his hands. Either he lost something important or he'd had too many espressos at the Mount Olympus Starbucks. I was hoping he was here looking for some other demigod (you never know, New York City is a huge place and Central Park is popular), but my hopes dashed when he spotted me and beckoned, Get over here.

"We better see what he wants." I said.

...

How do you greet a god? If there's an etiquette guide for that, I haven't reade it. I'm never sure if I'm supposed to shake hands, kneel, or bow and shout, "We're not worthy!"

I knew Hermes better than most Olympians. Over the years, he'd helped me out several times. Unfortunately two summers ago the Titan Kronos took over Hermes' demigod son Luke's body, and last summer I had to fight Kronos to the death.

I was fine with it at first because I thought Luke was evil and all that, but last summer I also came to realize Luke was as much a victim of Kronos' corruption and misunderstanding his fate as the other demigods that served Kronos, and when Luke regain temporary control I gave him Annabeth's knife to end his so Kronos can be vanquished. Which dampen my relationship with Hermes.

I tried to make up for Hermes. With my satyr friend Grover's help we found all the demigods Hermes listed for me to and made sure they made it to camp. But I haven't really talked to Hermes since then.

"Hi," I greeted.

Hermes scanned the park as if he was afraid of being watched. I'm not sure why he bothered. God are usually invisible to mortals. Nobody else on the Great Lawnwas paying attention ot the delivery van-which I'm guessing is one of the forms of Hermes' Chariot.

Hermes glanced at Annabeth, then back at me. "I didn't know the girl would be here. She'll have to swear to keep her mouth shut."

Annabeth crossed her arms. "The girl can hear you. And before I swear to anything,maybe you'd better tell us what's wrong."

I don't think I'd ever seen a god look so jittery. Hermes tucked a curl of gray hair behind his ear. He patted his pockets again. His hands didn't seem to know what to do.

He leaned in and lowered his voice. "I mean it, girl. If word gets back to Athena, she'll never stop teasing me. She already thinks she's so much clever than I am."

"She is." Annabeth said. I'm not going to say anything on that. Athena is Annabeth's mom, and demigods have their right to be biased about their parents. Part what makes Annabeth's and my relionship works is we learn not to compare our divine parents with one another. Especially since Poseidon and Athena are suppose to be arch rivals ever since they competed to be of Athens.

Hermes glared at her. "Promise. Before I explain the problem, both of you must promise to keep silent."

Suddenly it dawned on me. "Where's your staff?"

Hermes e ye twitched. He looked like he was about to cry.

"Oh, gods," Annabeth said. "You lost your staff?"

"I didn't lose it!" Hermes snapped. "It was stolen. And I wasn't asking for your help, girl!"

""Fine," she said. "Solve your own problem. Come on, Percy. Let's get out of here."

Hermes snarled. I realized I might have to break up a fig h t between an immortal god and my girlfriend, and I didn't want to be on either side of that.

A little background: Annabeth used to adventure with Hermes' son Luke. Over time, Annabeth developed a crush on Luke. As Annabeth got older, Luke developed feeling for her too. Then there was the whole Kronos corrupting Luke and then Luke became his vessel I mention earlier. Hermes blamed Annabet h for not preventing Luke from turning evil. Annabeth blamed Hermes for being a rotten dad and being the reason Kronos was able to corrupt Luke. Luke died in the war. Hermes and Annabeth blamed each other.

Then I got an idea. Normally gods will pay back favors if you do something for them.

"Annabeth, I understand you and Hermes have grudges with one anot her, but let me here him out. We can have that dinner night plans later," I said.

Annabeth studdied me like she always does but she sighed. "Fine. I'll wait at the picnic blanket."

"Thanks." I gave her a quick kiss. Then I grabbed Hermes arm. "Let's step into your office."

...

Hermes and I sat in the back of the delivery truck on a couple of boxes labeled TOXIC SERPENTS. THIS END UP. Maybe that wasn't the best place to sit, but it was better than some of his other deliveries, which were labeled EXPLOSIVES, DO NOT SIT ON, and DRAKON EGGS, DO NOT STORE NEAR EXPLOSIVES.

"So what happened?" I asked him.

Hermes slumped on his delivery boxes. He stared at his empty hands. "I only left them alone for a minute."

I figured he was talking about George and Martha. The y were the two snakes that wrapped around his caduceus-his staff of power. You probably seen pictures of the caduceus at hospitals, since it's often used as a symbol of doctors (Annabeth would argue and say that whole thing is a misconception. It's supposed to be staff of Asclepius the medicine god).

I was kind of fond of George and Martha. I got the feeling Hermes was too, even though he was constantly arguing with them.

"I made a stupid mistake," he muttered. "I was late with a delivery. I stopped at Rockefeller Center and was delivering a box of doormats to Janus-"

"Janus," I said. "The two-faced god of doorways."

"Yes, yes. He works there. Network televisión. He's in charge of the programings. He loves ordering new shows and canceling them after two episodes. God of beginnings and endings, after all."

"Uh, right..." Last time I saw Janus, he'd been in a deadly magical labyrinth, and the experience hadn't been pleasant.

"Anyway, I was bringing him some magic doormats, and I was double-parked. So I left my caduceus on the dashboard and ran inside with the box. Then I realized I needed to have Janus sign for the delivery, so I ran back to the truck-"

"And the caduceus was gone."

Hermes nodded. "If that ugly brute has harmed my snakes, I swear by the Styx-"

"Hold on. You know who took the staff?"

Hermes snorted. "Of course. I checked the security cameras in the area. I talked with the wind nymphs. The thief was clearly Cacus."

"And that is-"

"Oh, he's a giant," Hermes said dismissively. "A small giant, not one of the big ones."

"Just how small?"

"Maybe ten feet tall."

"Tiny then," I agreed.

"He's well-known thief. Stole Apollo's cattle once."

"I thought you stole Apollo's Cattle."

"Well, yes. But I did it first, and with much more style. At any rate, Cacus is always stealing things from the gods. Very annoying. He used to hide out in a cave on Capitoline Hill, where Rome was founded. Nowadays, he's in Manhattan. Underground somewhere, I'm sure."

"Now you're going to explain to me why you, a super powerful god, can't just go get your staff back yourself, and why you need me, a sixteen=year-old, to do it for you."

Hermes tilted his head. "Percy, that almost sounded like sarcasm. You know very well the gods can't go busting heads and ripping up mortal cities looking for our lost items. If we did that, New York would be destroyed every time Aphrodite lost her hairbrush, and believe me that happens a kit. We need heroes for that sort of errand."

"Yeah, I can see the gods causing damage looking their items," I admitted flashing back to the freak weather systems in my six grade year. I later found out that was Zeus and my dad arguing because Zeus' master bolt was stolen and he blamed my dad but now that Hermes mention it, a lot of Zeus' destruction most likely him looking for the thief that help stoll the bolt. "Plus, if you went looking for the staff yourself, it might be a little embarrassing."

Hermes pursed his lips. "All right. Yes. The other gods would certainly take notice. Me, the god of thieves, being stolen from. And my caduceus, no less, symbol of my power! I'd be ridiculed for centuries. The idea is too horrible. I need this resolved quickly and quietly before I become the laughing stock of Olympus."

"So... you want us to find this giant, get back your caduceus, and return it to you. Quietly."

Hermes smiled. "What a fine offer! Thank you. And I'll need it before five o'clock this evening so I can finish my deliveries. The caduceus serves as my signature pad, my GPS, my phone, my parking permit, my iPod shuffle-really, I can't do a thing without it."

"By five." I didn't have a watch, but I was pretty sure it was at least one o'clock already. "Can you be more specific about where Cacus is?"

Hermes shrugged. "I'm sure you can figure that out. And just a warning: Caucus breat hes fire. And do be mindful of the caduceus. The tip can turn people to stone. I had to do that once with this horrible tattletale Battus... but I'm sure you'll be careful. And of course you'll keep this as our little secret."

"Yeah, I understand," I sighed. "I'll help you with your situation if you help me with mine."

Hermes raised an eyebrow. "What did you have in mind?"

"You're the god of travel, right?"

"Of course." I told him my situation and what I wanted in return.

"Ah, yes, one month anniversaries," Hermes said. "Believe it or not I had lover that lasted long enough for several of those. Get the Caduceus back at the Rockefeller Center by five before the other gods find out, and I'll have something together for you and the girl."

"Thanks," I said wishing he didn't bring up the lovers thing.

...

I was in better spirits when I rejoined Annabeth. Hermes' delivery truck had disappeared in a flash. Now I just got to convince Annabeth.

"So what did he wan t?" Annabeth asked.

I told her what we have to do.

"So we have to track down a fire breathing giant to find Hermes' staff?" Annabeth asked.

"Annabeth, I know you hate Hermes, but George and Martha are good snakes==

Annabeth raised her hand, "You're cute and sweet, Percy, but I don't need excuses to why you agreed to help Hermes. Just tell me you weren't lying about having something special for us tonight?"

"Yeah. I have something special for tonight," I promised.

Annabeth sighed. "Fine. Let's find this giant."

She stowed oiur blanket iun her backpack and put away the food. Sad... since I barely tasted any of the pizza. The only thing she kept out was her shield.

Like a lot of magic items, it was designed to morphed into a smaller item for easy carrying. The shield shrinks to plate size, which is what we'd been using it for. Great for cheese and crackers.

As I took out my breast plate from my pack and strapped it on, Annabeth brushed off the crumbs, and tossed the plate into the air. It expanded as it spun. When it landed in the grass it was a full-sized bronze shield, its highly polished surface reflecting the sky.

The shield had come in handy during our war with the Titans, but I wasn't sure how it could help us now.

"That thing only shows aerial images, right?" I asked. "Cacus is supposed to be underground."

"But the entrance to his hideout might be visible," Annabeth said. "Worth a try. Shield, I want to see Cacus."

Light rippled across the bronze surface.

Instead of a reflection, we were looking down at a landscape of dilapidated warehouses and crumbling roads. A rusty water tower rose above the urban blight.

Annabeth snorted. "This stupid shield has a sense of humor."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"That's Secaucus, New Jersey. Read the sign on the water tower." She rapped her knuckles on the bronze surface. "Okay, very funny, shield. Now I want to see-I mean, show me the location of the fire-breathing giant Cacus."

The image changed.

This time I saw a familiar part of Manhattan: renovated warehouse, brick-paved streets, a glass hotel, and an elevated train track that had been turned into a park with trees and and wildflowers. I remember my mom and stepdad taking me there when it first open.

"That's High Line park," I said. "In the Meatpacking District."

"Yeah," Annabeth agreed. "But where's the giant?"

She frowned in concentration. The shield zoomed in on an intersection blocked off with orange barricades and detour signs. Construction equipment sat idle in the shadow of the High Line. Chiseled in the street was a big square hole, cordoned off with yellow police tape. Steam billowed from the pit.

I scratched my head. "Why would the police seal off a hole in the street?"

"I remember this. It was on the news yesterday," Annabeth said. "A construction worker got hurt. Some freak accident way below the surface. They were digging a new service tunnel or something, and a fire broke out."

"In other words, they might have been attacked by a fire-breathing giant and the Mist change their memory," I said.

"That would make sense," she agreed.

"So let's catch a cab."

Annabeth gazed wistfully across the Great Lawn. "First sunny day in weeks, and my boyfriend wants to take me to a dangerous cave to fight a fire-breathing giant."

"You're awesome," I said.

"I know," Annabeth said. "You'd better have something good planned for dinner."

...

The cab dropped us off on West 15tth. The streets were bustling with a mix of sidewalk vendors, workers, shoppers, and tourists. Why a place called the Meatpacking District was suddenly a hot area to hang out, I wasn't sure. But that's the cool thing about New York. It's always changing. Apparently even monsters wanted to stay here.

"Ideas?" I asked Annabeth.

I figured I ask. Being daughter of the goddess of wisdom and strategy, Annabeth likes making plans.

"We climb down," she said. "We find the giant. We get the caduceus."

"Wow," I said. "Both wise and strategic."

"Shut up."

We made our way to the construction site. Two police officers stood at the intersection, but Annabeth used her cap of invisibility and I morphed into a common New York City rat to sneak over the barricades, go under the police tape, and crept toward the hole. I looked at the police who didn't seem to be looking.

The hole in the street was about the size of a garage door. Pipe scaffolding hung over it with a sort of winch system, and metal climbing rungs had been fastened into the side of the pit, leading down.

I scuttled down the rungs as Annabeth climb down after me as we descended.

As we descended deeper, the sound of traffic grew fainter and fainter until it vanished and the light from the hole above vanished. I was able to switch from rungs to the wiring for the lights that lead down the tunnel. Even with the lights, the descent was still gloomy and creepy I reached the bottom and morphed to human form. As I heard a splash of Annabeth reaching the bottom I got a good look of where we were.

"Holy Hephaestus," I responded.

We were standing in a factory-sized cavern. Our tunnel emptied into it like a narrow chimney. The rock walls bristled with old cables, pipe, and lines of brickwork-maybe the foundations of old buildings. Busted water pipes, possibly old sewer lines, sent a steady drizzle of water down the walls, turning the floor muddy. I didn't want to know what was in that water.

There wasn't much light, but the cavern looked like a cross between a construction zone and a flea market. Scattered around the cave were crates, tool boxes, pallets of timber, and stacks of steel pipe. There was even a bulldozer half-sunken in the mud.

Even stranger: several old cars had somehow been brought from the surface, each filled with suitcases and mounds of purses. Racks of clothing had been carelessly tossed around like somebody had cleaned out a department store. Worst of all, hanging from meat hooks on a stainless steel scaffold was a row of cow carcasses-skinned, gutted, and ready for butchering. Judging from the smell and flies, they weren't very fresh. It was almost enough to make me turn vegetarian, except for the pesky fact that I loved cheeseburgers.

No giant. I hoped he wasn't home.

As Annabeth materialize in thin air as she took off her cap, she pointed to the far end of the cave. "Maybe down there."

Leading into darkness was a twenty-foot-diameter tunnel, perfectly round, as if made by a huge snake.

I didn't like the idea of walking to the other side of the cave, especially through that flea market of heavy machinery and cow carcases.

"How did all this stuff get down here?" I felt the need to whisper, but my voice echoed anyway.

Annabeth scanned the scene. She obviously didn't like what she saw. "They must've lowered the bulldozer in pieces and assembled them down here," she decided. "I think that's how they dug the subway system a long time ago."

"What about the other junk?" I asked. "The cars and, um, meat products?"

She furrowed her eyes. "Some of it looks like street vendor merchandise. Those purses and coats... the giant must've brought them down here for some reason." She gestured toward the bulldozer. "That thing looks like its been through combat.

As my eyes adjusted to the gloom, I saw what she meant. The machine's caterpillar treads were busted. The driver's seat was charred to a crisp. In the front of rig, the big shovel blade was dented as if it had run into something... or been punched.

The silence was eerie. Looking up at the tiny speck of daylight above us, I got vertigo and yet amaze me that a cave this big exist under Manhattan without the city block collapsing, or Hudson River flooding in? We had to be hundreds of feet below sea level.

What really disturbed me was that tunnel on the far side of the cave.

I'm not saying I can smell monsters the way my friend Grover the satyr or my half-brother Tyson the Cyclopes can. But suddenly I understand why satyrs hated being underground. It felt oppressive and dangerous. Demigods didn't belong here. Something was waiting down the tunnel.

Before the Titan War (more precise before I swam in the River Styx), I would want to run away scared by now, but now I reminded myself this had to be done. Returning empty handed was not an option, not just because of the threat of dealing with Hermes' wrath, but dealing with Annabeth's wrath as it would mean no dinner plans she's hoping for since my deal with Hermes would be broken.

It also helps that I reminded myself that if I have too, I can turn into scary monster myself with my shapeshifting ability as long as it's not not a human hybrid or humanoid types. Nor should I expect mystical powers of said monster unless its a power I already have as son of Poseidon.

Annabeth and I started toward the bulldozer.

We'd just reached the middle of the cave when a groan echoed from the far tunnel. We ducked behind the bulldozer just as the giant appeared from the darkness, stretching his massive arms.

"Breakfast," he rumbled.

I could see him clearly now, and I wish I couldn't.

How ugly was he? Let's put it this way: Secaucus, New Jersey, was a lot nicer-looking than Cacus the giant, and that's not a compliment to anybody.

As Hermes had said, the giant was about ten feet tall, which made him small compared to some other giants I'd seen. Bub Cacus made up for it by being bright and gaudy. He had curly orange hair, pale skin, and orange freckles. His face was smeared upward with a permanent pout, upturned nose, wide eyes and arched eyebrows, so he appeared both startled and unhappy. He wore a red velour housecoat with matching slippers. The housecoat was open, revealing silky Valentine patterned boxer shorts and luxurious chest hair of a red/pink/orange color not found in nature.

Annabeth made a small gagging sound. "It's the ginger giant."

Unfortunately, the gian t had extremely good hearing. He frowned and scanned the cavern, zeroing in on our hiding place.

"Who's there?" he bellowed. "You-behind the bulldozer."

Annabeth and I looked at each other. She mouthed, Oops.

"Come on!" the giant said. "I don't appreciate sneaking about! SHow yourself."

That sounded like a really terrible idea. Normally best idea would me to morph into a small critter and Annabeth used her cap of invisibility to get the heck out of here. I mean sure I'm invulnerable thanks to my swim in the Styx, but during my battle with Kronos I learned real quick the limis of that invulnerability by watching Kronos get electrocuted and then had his hands severely burned despite the fact that Luke's body was also invulnerable from his swim in the Styx. So I'm not sure just how invulnerable I am to a giant that can breathe fire.

I just hope then that the giant would listen to reason, despite the fact that he wore Valentine boxer shorts.

I took out my ballpoint pen uncapped it and hit the stop button on my wrist watch. My bronze sword Riptide sprang to life and a bronze shield spiraled out, with images etched into it by Tyson of our adventures in the Sea of Monsters. Annabeth pulled out her shield and dagger. None of our weapons looked very intimidating against a dude that big, but if I wanted too I can turn into something just as big like an elephant, or drakon. What really makes my powers a trump card is I'm the first son of Poseidon to be blessed with such powers since Nexus, father of the the Argonaut Periclymenus and son of Poseidon.

Together we stepped into the open.

THe giant grinned, "Well! Demigods, are you? I call for breakfast, and you two appear? That's quite accommodating."

"We're not breakfast," Annabeth said.

"No?" The giant stretched lazily. Twin wisps of smoke escaping his nostrils. "I imagine you'd taste wonderful with tortillas, salsa, and eggs. Huevos semidiós. Just thinking about it makes me hungry!"

He sauntered over to the row of flyspecked cow carcasses.

My stomach twisted. I muttered, "Oh, he's not really gonna-"

Caucus snatched one of the carcasses off a hook. He blew fire over it-a red hot torrent of flames that cooked the meat in seconds but didn't seem to hurt the giant's hands at all. Once the cow was crispy and sizzling, Caucus unhinged his jaw, opening his mouth impossibly wide, and downed the carcass in three massive bites, bones and all.

"Yep," Annabeth said weakly. "He really did it."

The giant b elched. He wiped his steamy greasy hands on his robe and grinned at us. "So, if you're not breakfast, you must be customers. WHat can I interest you in?"

He sounded relaxed and friendly, like he was happy to talk with us. Between that and the red velour housecoat, he almost didn't seem dangerous. Except of course he was ten feet tall, breathes fire, and ate a cow in three bites.

I stepped forward. Call me old-fashioned, but I wanted to keep his focus on me and not Annabeth. I think it's polite for a guy to protect his girlfriend from instant incineration, and it helps that my fatal flaw is personal loyalty.

"Um, yeah," I said. "We might be customers. What do you sell?"

Caucus laughed. "What do I sell? Everything, demigod! At bargain basement prices, and you can't find a basement lower than this!" He gestured around the cavern. "I've got designer handbags, Italian suits, um... some construction equipment, apparently, and if you're in the market for Rolex..."

He opened his robe. Pinned to the inside was a glittering array of gold and silver watches.

Annabeth snapped her fingers. "Fakes! I'd knew I seen that stuff before. You got all this from street merchants, didn't you? They're designer knock-offs."

The giant looked offended. "Not just any knockoffs, young lady. I steal only the best. I'm a son of Hephaestus. I know quality fakes when I see them?"

I frowned. "A son of Hephaestus? Then shouldn't you be making things rather than stealing them?"

Caucus snorted. "Too much work! Oh, sometimes I find a high-quality item I'll make my own copies. But mostly it's easier to steal things. I started with cattle thieving, you know, back in the old days. Love cattle! That's why I settled in the Meatpacking District. Then I discovered they have more than meat here!"

He grinned as if this was an amazing discovery. "Street vendors, high end boutiques-this is a wonderful city, even better than Ancient Rome! And the workers were very nice to make me this cave."

"Before you ran them off," Annabeth said, "and almost killed them."

Cacus stifled a yawn. "Are you sure you're not breakfast? Because you're beginning to bore me. If you don't want to buy something, I'll go get the salsa and tortillas-"

"We're looking for something special," I interrupted. "Something real and magic. But I guess you don't have anything like that."

"Ha!" Caucus clapped his hands. "A high-end shopper. If I haven't got what you need in stock, I can steal it, for the right price, of course."

"Hermes' staff," I said. "The caduceus."

The giant's face turned as red as his hair. His eyes narrowed. "I see. I should've known Hermes would send someone. Who are you two? Children of the thief god?"

Annabeth raised her knife. "Did he just called me Hermes' kid? I'm going to stab him in the-"

"I'm Percy Jackson, son of Poseidon," I told the giant. I put out my arm to hold Annabeth back. "This is Annabeth Chase, daughter of Athena. We help out the gods sometimes, like-oh, killing Titans, saving Mount Olympus, things like that. Perhaps you've heard stories. So about that caduceus... it would be easier just to hand it over before things get unpleasant."

As I said this I slowed down my transformation into a bear so my teeth sharpened, my muscled expanded and my nails grew into claws to make myself look intimidating while keeping myself from going full bear.

It didn't work as Cacus threw back his head and laughed. "Oh, I see! THat was supposed to scare me! Alas, the only demigod who ever defeated me was Hercules himself. But nice touch with the show of power."

That snapped me out of my partial transformation as I turned to Annabeth and shook my head in exasperation. "Always Hercules. What is it with Hercules?"

Annabeth shrugged. "He had a great publicist."

Honestly, that doesn't really intimidating. You know that Periclymenus guy I mention earlier? Well it turned out he had once fought Hercules and actually gave Hercules a bit of trouble. He didn't win, but still it gave him some recognition. And since he was the grandson of Poseidon, the idea of me being possibly more powerful than Heracles isn't so far fetch. Especially after what we went through during the Battle of Manhattan.

The giant kept boasting. "For centuries, I was the terror of Italy! I stole many cows-more than any other giant. Mothers used to scare their children with my name.. They would say, 'Mind your manners, child, or Cacus will come and steal your cows!"

"Horrifying," Annabeth said.

The giant grinned. "I know! Right? So you may as well give up, demigods. You'll never get the caduceus. I have plans for that!"

He raised his hand and the staff of Hermes appeared in his grip. I'd seen it many times before, but it still sent a shiver down my back. Godly items just radiate power. The staff was smooth white wood about three feet long, topped with a silver sphere and dove wings that fluttered nervously. Intertwined around the staff were two live, very agitated serpents.

Percy! A reptilian voice spoke in my mind. Thank the gods!

Another snaky voice, deeper and grumpier, said, Yes, I haven't been fed in hours.

"Martha, George," I said. "Are you guys all right?"

Better if I got some food, George complained. There are some nice rats down here. Could you catch us some?

George, stop! Martha chided. We have bigger problems. This giant wants to keep us!

Caucus looked back and forth from me to the snakes. "Wait... You can speak with the snakes, Percy Jackson? That's excellent! Tell them they'd better start cooperating. I'm their new master, and they'll only get fed when they start taking orders.

The nerve! Martha shrieked. You tell that ginger jerk-

"Hold on," Annabeth interrupted. "Cacus, the snakes will never obey you. They only work for Hermes. Since you can't use the staff, it doesn't do you any good. Just give it back and we'll pretend this never happen."

"Great idea," I said.

The giant snarled. "Oh, I'll figure out the staff's powers, girl. I'll make the snakes cooperate!"

Cacus shook the caduceus. George and Martha wriggled and hissed, but they seemed stuck to t he staff. I knew the caduceus could turn into all sorts of helpful things-a sword, a cell phone, a price scanner for easy comparison shopping. And once George mention something disturbing about "laser mode." I really didn't want Cacus figuring out that feature.

Finally the giant growled in frustration. He slammed the staff against the nearest cow carcass and instantly t he meat turned to stone. A wave of petrification spread from carcass to carcass until the rack became so heavy it collapsed. Half a dozen granite cows broke to pieces.

Oh right, Hermes also mentions the petrification power of the staff. I was actually hoping Cacus didn't figure that out.

"Now, that's interesting!" Cacus beamed.

"Uh-oh." Annabeth took a step giant swung the staff in our direction. "Yes! SOon I will master this thing and be as powerful as Hermes. I'll be able to go anywhere! I'll steal anything I want, make high quality knock-offs, and sell them around the world. I will be the lord of traveling salesmen!"

"That," I said, "is truly evil."

"Ha-ha!" Cacus raised the caduceus in triumph. "I had my doubts, but now I'm convinced. Stealing this staff was an excellent idea! Now let's see how I can kill you with it."

"Wait!" Annabeth said. "You mean it wasn't your idea to steal the staff?"

"Kill them!" Cacus ordered the snakes. He pointed t he caduceus at us, but the silver tip only spewed slips of paper. Annabeth picked up one and read it.

"You're trying to kill us with Groupons," she announced. "Eighty-five percent off piano lessons."

"Gah!" Cacus glared at the snakes and breathed a fiery warning shot over their heads. "Obey me!"

George and Martha squirmed in alarm.

Stop that! Martha cried.

We're cold-blooded! George protested. Fire is not good!

"Hey, Cacus!" I shouted, trying to get his attention. "Answer our question. Who told you to steal the staff?"

The giant sneered. "Foolish demigod. When you defeated Kronos, did you think you eliminated all the enemies of the gods? You only delayed the fall of Olympus for a little while longer. Without the staff, Hermes will be unable to carry messages. Olympian communication lines will be disrupted, and that's only the first bit of chaos my friends have planned."

"Your friends?" Annabeth asked.

Cacus waved off the question. "Doesn't matter. You won't live that long, and I'm only in it for the money. With this staff, I'll make millions! Maybe even thousands! Now hold still. Perhaps I can get a good prince on two demigod statues.

I wasn't fond of threats like that. I'd had enough of them a few years ago when I fought Medusa. Plus, the world had enough traveling salesmen. Nobody deserved to answer their door and find a fire-breathing giant with a magic staff and a collection of knockoff Rolexes.

I looked at Annabeth and we nodded, understanding each other. Time to fight.

...

Yeah, Annabeth and I charged without a plan. But we had been fighting together for years. We knew each other's abilities. We could anticipate each other moves. Once we got started fighting that awkward nervous boyfriend thing dissolved.

Annabeth veered to the giant's left as I charged him head on. If Cacus hadn't discovered the petrificcation power of the staff, I normally go elephant as I normally do, but since he had I wanted to avoid becoming a giant target. Well, at least not without a distraction first.

I was still out of sword reach when Cacus unhinged his jaw blew fire.

I shrunk down as fur sprouted from my body as I turned into a Kangaroo Rat and hopped pass the flames causing the fire to hit a rack of women coats.

The giant roared. "Look what you've done! Those are genuine fake Prada!"

Annabeth lunged at Cacus from behind and stabbed him in the back of the knee-usually a nice soft spot on monsters. She leaped away as as Cacus swung the caduceus, bareilly missing her. The silver tip slammed into the bulldozer and the entire machine turned to stone.

"I'll kill you!" Cacus stumbled, golden ichor pouring from his wounded leg.

He blew fire at Annabeth, but she dodged the blast. Taking this as a distraction I grew and morphed into an elephant and impaled the giant with my tusk.

Cacus bellowed in pain. He turned with surprising speed. I quickly shrunk down to an armadillo and curled up as he smacked me with the back of his hand. I went flying and crashed into a pile of broken stones cows.

"Percy!" Annabeth yelled.

Move! Martha's voice spoke in my mind. He's about to strike!

Go left! George said, which was one of the most helpful suggestions he'd ever made. I morphed into a rabbit and hopped out of the way as the caduceus smashed into a pile of stone where I'd been lying.

I heard a CLANG! And the giant screamed, "Gah!"

I morphed back to human form. Annabeth had just smacked her shield across the giant's backside. Being an expert at school expulsion, I'd gotten kicked out of several military academies where they still believed paddling was good for the soul. I had a fair idea how it felt to get spanked with a large flat surface, and my rump clench in sympathy. But that didn't stop me either.

As Cacus staggered, I morphed into an elephant and charged once more. I didn't strike him with my tusk this time, but I did slammed into Cacus sending him stumbling backwards.

"Enough!" Cacus leveled the staff at me, but it changed form. It became a cell phone and rang to the tune of "Macarena." George and and Martha, now the size of earthworms, curled around the screen.

Good one, George said.

We dance to this at our wedding, Martha said. Remember.

I don't know what's stranger, hearing Martha and George are married (considering how much they bicker with each other) or the image of two snakes doing the Maracana whether they were attach to a staff or not.

"Stupid snakes!" Cacus shook the cell phone violently.

Eek! Martha said.

Help-me! George's voice quivered. Must obey-red-bathrobe!

The phone grew back into a staff.

"Now, behave!" Cacus warned the snakes."Or I'll turn you two into a fake Gucci handbag!"

Annabeth reached my side as I morphed back to human form.

"Our tag team strategy isn't working so well," she noticed. She was breathing heavily. The left side of her T-Shirt was smoldering, but otherwise she looked okay.

I looked up the tunnels at those broken pipes embedded in the rock: waterlines, sewer ducts. That gave me an idea. Along with being able to shape shift, being son of the sea god, I could sometimes control water.

"Hold on," I told Annabeth. I slapped my shield that had disappeared and reappeared during my shapeshifting powers as well as my sword (don't ask me how) and my shield spiraled back to wrist watch form. I wrapped my now free hand around her waist.

I concentrated on finding water above us. It wasn't hard. I felt a dangerous amount of pressure into the city's waterlines, and I summoned it all into the broken pipes/

"I don't like you!" Cacus yelled. He stalked toward us, smoke pouring from his nostrils as his mouth started glowing like a furnace. "It's time to end this."

The whole cavern rumbled as a thousand water pipes burst overhead. A not-so-clean waterfall slammed into Cacus. I yanked Annabeth out of the way and morphed into a pegasus form. Annabeth quickly got on my back and I flew above.

Far bellow I heard Cacus bellowing as millions, of filthy gallons of water slammed into him. Meanwhile I landed on top of the Geyser as it shot out of the ground and we were above ground once again.

Pedestrians and cops backed away, yelling in alarm at our seage version of Old Faithful. Brakes screeched and cars rear-ended each other as drivers stopped to watch the chaos.

I took the full blunt of the geyser in Pegasus form, but I manage to will myself dry. I had no doubt my feet and posslbly hands smell though.

I landed on the pavement and Annabeth slid off so I can morph back to human form. The geyser receded, followed by t he horrendous sound of water draining down the tunnel like somebody up on Olympus had fl us hed the godly toilet.

"That was disgusting," Annabeth said.

A distant snaky voice spoke in my mind. Gag me, said George. Even for me that was disgusting, and I eat rats.

Incoming! Martha warned. "Oh, no! I think the giant had figured out-

An explosion shook the street. A beam of blue light shot out of the tunnel, carving a trench up the side of the glass office building, melting windows and vaporizing concrete. The giant climbed form the pit, his velour house coat steaming, and his face splattered with slime

He did not look happy. In his hands, the caduceus now resembled a bazooka with snakes wrapped around the barrel and a glowing blue muzzle.

"Okay," Annabeth said faintly. "Um, w hat is t hat?"

"I think that's what George calls laser mode," I guessed.

...

To all of you who lived in the Meatpacking District, I apologize. Because of the smoke, debris, and chaos, you probably just call it the Packing District now, since so many of you had to move out.

Still, the real surprise is that we didn't do more damage.

I quickly morphed to Pegasus form as Annabeth climbed on my back and I fled as another laser bolt gouged through the street to our left. Chunks of asphalt rained down like confetti.

Behind us, Cacus yelled. "You ruined my fake Rolexes! They aren't water proof, you know! For that you die!"

I flew as fast as I can in Pegasus form. My hope was to get this monster away from the innocent mortals, but that's kind of heart to do in the middle of New York, but in Pegasus form, I can at least have Cacus focus his aim in air instead of the ground. Traffic clogged the streets. Pedestrians screamed and ran every direction. The two police officers I'd seen earlier were nowhere in sight, maybe swept away by the mob.

"The park!" Annabeth pointed to the elevated tracks of the High Line. "If we can get him off street level-"

I dodge another laser that interrupted her, but I got the idea. I soared straight for the park. Sirens screamed in the distance, but I didn't want more police involved. Mortal law enforcement would only make things more complicated, and through the Mist, the police might even think Annabeth and I were the problem-yes even in pegasus form (you be surprise what mortals can come up with to explain mystical creatures or dangerous animals they once thought I was a dangerous animal trainer).

We reach the park, and under normal circumstances, I would've enjoyed the view of glittering Hudson River and the rooftops of the surrounding neighbor hood. The weather was nice. The park's flower beds were busting with color. As far as I could see were benches, walkways, and lots of plants.

The High Line was empty, thoug h-maybe because it was a workday, or maybe because the visitors were smart and ran when they heard the explosions.

Somewhere below us, Cacus was roaring, cursing, and offering panicked mortals deep discounts on slightly damp Rolexes. I figured we only h ad a few seconds before he found us.

"There!" Annabeth pointed.

A hundred feet away, the old railroad tracks split and the elevated platform formed a Y. The shorter piece oft he Y was a dead end-part of the park that was still under construction. Stacks of potting soil bags and plant flats sat on the gravel. Jutting over t he edge of the railing was the arm of a crane that must've been sitting down at ground level. Far above us, a big metal claw hung from the crane's arm-probably what t hey'd been using to hoist garden supplies.

Suddenly I understood what Annabet h was planning, and I felt like I was trying to swallow a quarter. I neighed and snorted in protest as I was still in pegasus form and pegasus don't speak human.

"Don't worry, Percy. You know I rock at grabber arm games and I've supervised bigger equipment on Mount Olympus."

That's my girlfriend for you, sophomore honors student, demigod, and head architect for redesigning the palace of the gods on Mount Olympus in her spare time (not to mention make designs to have Tyson send to my dad's palace for it's reconstruction).

Plus, she wasn't wrong about being good with the grabber arm games. I'd taken her to the arcade at Coney Island, and we'd come back with a sackful of stuffed animals.

But this thing was massive and there's a difference between supervising and operating equipment.

"Just lure him over there and keep him occupied while I grab him," Annnaabeth told me. "If you can snag the caduceus while he's distracted, that would be great."

Before I could think of a protest, Cacus bellowed, "DEATH!" He had stormed up the steps and onto the High Line. He spotted us and lumbered over with slow, grim determination.

With no time to come up with a good argument, I landed at the dead end tracks and Annabeth slid off and run toward the crane. She leaped over the side of the railing, shining down the metal arm like it was a tree branch. She disappeared from view.

I morphed back to human form and rose as I faced the giant. His red velour robe was in tatters. He'd lost his slippers. His ginger hair was plastered to his head like a greasy shower cap. He aimed his glowing bazooka.

Normally I would morph into something fast to dodge, but I can't risk leading Cacus away from the crane, so I just stood my ground. Fortunately Cacus must have thought I was trapped and he was in no hurry to kill me. He stopped twenty feet away, just beyond the shadow of the crane's hook. I I gave my best look of cornered and panicked.

"So," Cacys growled. "Any last words?"

"George, Martha," I called, hoping they could hear me. "Please change out of laser mode."

We're trying, dear! Martha said.

My stomach hurts, George said. I think he bruised my tummy.

The crane didn't move. Even if Annabeth could get it started. I wondered how she could see her target from down below. I probably should've of thought of that sooner.

Cacus must have took my pleading with George and Martha as my last words because he pulled the trigger, and suddenly the caduceus changed form. The giant tried to zap me with a credit card swiping machine, but the only thing that came ou t was a paper receipt.

Oh, yeah! George yelled in my mind. One for the snakes!

"Stupid staff!" Cacus threw down th e caduceus in disgust, whic h was the chance I'd been waiting for. I shrank down and hair covered me until I was the world's fastest monkey: Patas Monkey. I launched myself forward snatc h th e staff and scuttled under the giant's feet.

When I morphed back to human, we'd changed positions Cacus had his back to the crane. Its arm was right behind him, the claw perfectly position above his head.

The crane shifted, slowly and almost silently. I realized there were mirrors fixed along the side of the arm-like rearview mirrors to guide the operator. And reflected in one of those mirrors were Nnabeth 's gray eyes.

"You put out my fire with that cursed sewage!" he growled. "Now you steal my staff."

"I'm stealing it back for Hermes whom you stole it from," I argued.

"It doesn't mattered. Cacus cracked his knuckles. "You can't use the staff either. I'll simply kill you with my bare hands."

The claw opened and dropped, smacking Cacus on the head and knocking him to the ground. While the giant was dazed, the claw closed around his chest and lifted him into the air.

"Wh-what is this?" The giant came to his senses twenty feet up. "Put me down!"

He squirmed uselessy and tried to blow fire, but only managed to cough mud.

Annabeth swung the crane arm back and forth, building momentum as the giant cursed and struggle. I was afraid the whole crane would tip over, but Annbeth's control was perfect. She swung the arm one last time and opened the claw when the giant was the top of his arc.

Aahhhhhhhhh!" The giant sailed over the rooftops, straight over C helsea Piers, and began falling toward Hudson River.

"George, Martha," I said. "Do yo u think you could manage laser mode just once more for me?"

With pleasure, George said.

The caduceus turned into a wicked high-tech bazooka.

I took aim at the falling giant and yelled, "Pull!"

The caduceus blasted its beam of blue light and the giant disintegrated into a beautiful starburst.

That, George said, was excellent. May I have a rat now?

I have to agree with George, Martha said. A rat would be lovely.

"Tell you two what. After we check on Annabeth we'll take the subway to the Rockefeller center where Hermes is waiting," I told them. "New York subways are always full of rats."

Both George and Martha loved the idea.

Annabeth met me at the steps of the park, grinning like crazy.

"Was th at amazing?" she demanded.

"T ha t was amazing." I agreed and gave her a romantic kiss.

When I finally came up for air, I told her of George and Martha wanting rats and how I suggested we take the subway. She didn't argue since the streets were clogged anyways and it was almost five.

...

George and Martha helped with the vermin problem of the New York subways. As we traveled north, they curled around the caduceus and dozed contentedly with bulging belies.

We met Hermes by the Atlas statue at Rockefeller Center (the statue, by the way, looks nothing like the real Atlas, but that's another story.)

"Thank the Fates," Hermes cried. "I'd just given up hope!"

He took the caduceus and patted the head of his sleepy snakes. "There, there, my friends. You're home now."

Zzzzz, said Martha.

Yummy, George murmured in his sleep.

Hermes sighed with relief. "Thank you, Percy... and you girl. I just have time to finish my deliveries! But what happened with Cacus?"

We told him the story. When I related what Cacus had said about someone else giving him the idea to steal the caduceus, and about the gods having other enemies, Hermes' face darkened.

"Cacus wanted to cut the gods' communication lines, did he?" Hermes mused. "That's ironic, considering Zeus has been threatening..."

His voice trailed off.

"What?" Annabeth asked. "Zeus has been threatening what?"

"Nothing," Hermes said.

It was obviously a lie, but I'd learned that it's best not to confront gods when they lie to your face. They tend to turn you into something as punishment.

"Okay..." I said. "Any idea what Cacus meant about other enemies, or who would want him to steal your caduceus?"

Hermes fidgeted. "Oh, could be any number of enemies. We gods do have many."

"Hard to believe," Annabeth said.

Hermes nodded. Apparently he didn't catch the sarcasm, or he had other things on his mind. I got the feeling the giant's warnings would come back to haunt us sooner or later, but Hermes obviously wasn't going to enlighten us now.

THe god managed a smile. "At any rate, well done, both of you! Now for your reward," Hermes looked us up and down. "I'll think we'll have to start with new clothes for the occasion. Then the rest should be easy. God of travel, at your service."

Annabeth frowned. "What reward? What is he talking about."

"I might have set something up with Hermes for our one month anniversary in return of helping him out," I said. "I wanted to keep it as a surprise until we return the Caduceus to Hermes."

Annabeth opened her mouth and closed it again. I don't leave her speechless very often. I have to enjoy those rare moment."

Hermes rubbed his hands. "Say good-bye, George and Martha."

Good-bye George and Martha, said George sleepily.

Zzz, said Martha.

"Can your caduceus still work with George and Martha asleep?" I asked.

"Oh yeah. If anything my deliveries will go more smoothly without them arguing," Hermes reassure me. "I may not see yo u for a while, Percy. But... well, enjoy the night."

He made that sound so ominous, I wonder again what he wasn't telling me. Then he snapped his fingers, and the world dissolved around us.

...

Our table was ready. The maître d' seated us on a rooftop terrance with a view of lights of Paris and the boats on the River Seine. The Eiffel Tower glowed in th e distance.

I was wearing a suite. I hope someone got a picture, because I don't wear suit. Thankfully, Hermes had magically arranged this. Otherwise I couldn't h ave tied the tie. Hopefully I looked okay, because Annabeth looked stunnin g. SHe wore a dark green sleeveless dress that showed off her long blond hair and her slim athletic figure. Her camp necklace had been replaced by a strin g of gray pearls that matched her eyes.

THe water brought fresh-baked bread and cheese, a bottle of sparkling water for Annabeth and a Coke with ice for me (because I'm a barbarian). We dined on a bunch of stuff I couldn't even pronounce-but all of it was great. It was almost half an hour before ANnabeth got over her shock and spoke.

"Nice save, Seaweed brain. This is... incredible," she said.

"Only the best for you," I said.

She reached across the table and took my hand. Her expression turned serious. "Any idea why Hermes acted so nervous? I got the feelin g something bad was happening on Olympus."

I shook my head. I may not see you for a while, the god had said, almost like he was warning me about something to come.

"Let's just enjoy tonight," I said. "Hermes will be teleporting us back at midnight our time."

Time for a walk along the river," Annabeth suggested. "And Percy... feel free to start planning our two month anniversary."

"Oh, gods." I felt panicky at the thought, but also really good. I'd survived a month as Annabeth's boyfriend, so I guess I hadn't screwed things up too badly. In fact, I'd never been happier. If she saw a future for us-if she was still planning to be with me next month then that was good enough for me.

"How about we go for that walk?" I pulled out the credit card Hermes had tucked i n my pocket-a black metal Olympus Express-and set it on the table. "I wan t to explore Paris with a beautiful girl."

A/N: This took longer to complete because my internet failed on me. I hope you guys enjoy. Next up is Singer of Apollo.