A/N: I don't own the rights to any of the Percy Jackson series or it's characters. That right goes 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.

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

I Take a Swim in the River Styx

My sword reappeared in my pocket. Sadly even my animal forms couldn't break through the walls, so I don't know how my sword will help.

My cell had no bars, no windows, not even a door. The skeletal guards shoved me straight through the wall and it became solid behind me. I wasn't sure if the room was airtight. Probably. Hades' dungeons was meant for dead people, and they don't breathe. So forget fifty or sixty years. I'd be dead in fifty or sixty years ago minutes. Meanwhile, if Hades wasn't lying, some big trap was going to be sprung in New York by the end of the day, and there was absolutely nothing I could do about it.

What's worse is, I started wondering if maybe my choice coming to the underworld was what would not only end my days that would destroy Olympus. I can't blame Nico as much as I wanted to. Hades was sneaky and fooled Nico into bringing me to him instead of going straight forward with his plan, or maybe Hades told Nico about how Luke gain the ability to become Kronos' vessel to get him to bring me down here. And in the end Nico just wanted answers, not only to Luke but of his family.

I sat on the cold stone floor, feeling miserable.

I don't remember dozing off. Then again, it must've been about seven in the morning, mortal time, and I'd been through a lot.

I dreamed I was on the porch of Rachel's beach house in St. Thomas. The sun was rising over the Caribbean. Dozens of wooded islands dotted the sea, and white sails cut across the water. The smell of salt air made me wonder if I would ever see the ocean again.

Rachel's parents sat at the patio table while a personal chef fixed them omelets. Mr. Dare was dressed in a white linen suit. He was reading The Wall Street Journal. The lady across the table was probably Mrs. Dare, though all I could see of her were hot pink fingernails and the cover of Condé Nast Traveler. Why she'd be reading about vacations while she was on vacation, I wasn't sure.

Rachel stood at the porch railing and sighed. She wore Bermuda shorts and her Van Gogh T-shirt (Yeah, Rachel was trying to teach me about art, but don't get too impressed. I only remembered the dude's name because he cut his ear off.)

I wondered if she was thinking about me, and how much it sucked that I wasn't with them on vacation. I know that's what I was thinking (although I doubt it would make a difference with Kronos' trap).

Then the scene changed. I was in St. Louis, standing downtown under the Arch. I'd been there before. In fact, I'd almost fallen to my death there before.

Over the city, a thunderstorm boiled-a wall of absolute black with lightning streaking across the sky. A few blocks away, swarms of emergency vehicles gathered with their lights flashing. A column of dust rose from a mound of rubble, which I realized was a collapsed skyscraper.

A nearby reporter was yelling into her microphone: "Officials are describing this as a structural failure, Dan, though no one seems to know if it is related to the storm conditions."

Wind whipped her hair. The temperature was dropping rapidly, like ten degrees just since I'd been standing there.

"Thankfully, the building had been abandoned for demolition," she said. "But police had evacuated all nearby buildings for fear the collapse might trigger-"

She faltered as a mighty groan cut through the sky. A blast of lightning hit the center of the darkness. The entire city shook. THe air glowed, abd every hair on my body stood up. The blast was so powerful I knew it could only be one thing: Zeus' master bolt. It should have vaporized its target, but the dark cloud only staggered backward. A smoky fist appeared out of the clouds. It smashed another tower, and the hole thing collapsed like children blocks

The chaos that followed I can only think of comparing to was when the Twin Towers World Trade Centers collapsed after two hijacked planes hit both towers, and that only describe the reaction of the mortals

As rubble surrounded the area from the collapsing tower, the reporter scream. People ran through the streets. Emergency lights flashed. I saw a streak of silver in the sky-a chariot pulled by reindeer, but it wasn't Santa Claus driving. It was Artemis, riding the storm, shooting shafts of moonlight into the darkness. A fiery comet that I can only guess is her twin brother Apollo crossed her path.

One thing was clear: Typhon had made it to the Mississippi River. He was halfway across the U.S., leaving destruction in his wake, and the gods barely slowing him down.

The mountain of darkness loomed over me. A foot the size of Yankee Stadium was about to smash me when a voice hissed, "Percy!"

I lunged out blindly. Before I was fully awake, I had Nico pinned to the floor of the cell with the edge of my sword at his throat.

"Want... to...rescue," he choked.

That woke me upfast. "Oh gods, sorry Nico." I let him go and backed away.

Nico curled into a ball and made retching sounds while his throat recoverte dt. Finally he got to his feet, eyeing my sword warily. His own blade was sheathed.

"Percy, I'm sorry," Nico said. "Father tricked me. I didn't know what he was planning."

"He used your own need to find out your history to draw you in," I said. "He gets it from Kronos."

Nico relaxed as though sensing he was in no danger (not that he was. He just picked a bad time to wake me).

"Look... right now, we need to leave. I put the guards to sleep but it won't last." He pointed at the wall. A whole section vanished, revealing a corridor."

"Then what are we waiting for?" I asked.

I morphed into a full grown elephant and Nico rode on my back as we charged out. Nico guided me as I trampled any skeleton that got in our way. He led me to the servant's entrance which led straight to the Fields of Asphodel.

As we did the sound of bronze gongs rang out from high in the castle.

"Alarms," Nico warned. "We need to get to the Styx."

Spirits of the dead made way as I stampeded through the fields. Even across the fields, the alarms could be heard. I didn't have to worry about calling Mrs. O'Leary when we reached EZ-DEATH line, because she bounded out of no where and ran beside me as though she thought I was playing some kind of game she wanted to join stampede through the sending guards, which caused more alarms to blare. Cerberus barked excitedly, as though he wanted to join the fun, but he didn't follow us.

We didn't stop until we were far upriver and the fields of Erebos had disappeared in the murk.

Nico clambered off my back as I morphed back to human form.

"Okay, we're at the river, now what?" I asked.

"We go with our original plan," Nico said. "But my father will be coming soon. We should hurry."

I was hoping he didn't say that. But since we gotten far just to find out how Luke prepared himself and convincing my mom to give me her blessings, I wasn't going to argue. Besides, even if w e just broke out of here, I still have to fight Kronos.

The River's Styx's currents swirled with strange objects-broken toys, ripped up college diplomas, wilted homecoming corsages-all the dreams people had thrown away as they'd passed from life into death. Looking at the black water, I could think about three million places I'd rather swim.

"So... I just jump in?"

"You have to prepare yourself first," Nico said, "or the river will destroy you. It will burn away your body and soul."

"Okay, how do I do that?" I asked.

"There is only one way to stay anchored to your mortal life. You have to..."

He glanced behind me and his eyes widened. I turned and found myse lf face-to-face with an Greek warrior.

Fora second I thought he was Ares, because this guy looked exactly like the god of war-tall and buff, with a cruel scarred face and closely shaved black hair. He wore a white tunic and bronze armor. He held a plumed war helm under his arm. But his eyes were human-pale green like a shallow sea-and a bloody arrow stuck out of his left calf just above the ankle.

I stunk at Greek names, but even I knew the greatest warrior of all time, who had died from a wounded heel that would later be named after him.

"Achilles," I said.

The ghost nodded. "I warned the other one not to follow my path. Now I will warn you."

"Luke? You spoke with Luke?"

"Do not do this," he said. "It will make you powerful. But it will also make you weak. Your prowess in combat will be beyond any mortal, but your weakness, your failings will increase as well."

"You mean I'll have a bad heel?" I said. "No offense, but we have better foot wear these days than sandals that can protect the heel."

He stared down at his bloody foot. "The heel is only my physical weakness, demigod. My mother, Thetis, held me there when she dipped me in the styx. What really killed me was my own arrogance. Beware~ Turn back!"

He meant it. I could hear the regret and bitterness in his voice. He was honestly trying to save me from a terrible fate. But by the sound of it, arrogance might have been his fatal flaw.

"I have to. This river is the reason why Luke is able to host Kronos. Without it I can't protect my friends," I said.

Achilles lowered his head. "Let the gods witness I tried. Hero, if you must do this, concentrate on your mortal point. Unlike myself, you are able to choose the one spot of your body that will remain vulnerable. All you have to do is imagine that spot, and it will be the point where your soul will anchor your body to the world. It will be your greatest weakness, but also your only hope. No man may be completely invulnerable. Lose sight of what keeps you mortal, and the River Styx will burn you to ashes. You will cease to exist."

"I don't suppose you could tell me Luke's mortal point?" I asked.

He scowled. "Prepare yourself, foolish boy. Whether you survive this or not, you have seal your doom."

With that happy thought, he vanished.

"Percy," Nico said, "maybe he's right."

"This was your idea."

"I know, but now that we're here-"

"Just wait on the shore." I said. "And if something happens to me, take care of Mrs. O'Leary. I doubt Kronos will wait until you turn sixteen before he destroys Mount Olympus and Camp Half-Blood. Let her play with Cerberus every now and then."

Nico nodded as he understands.

Before I could change my mind, I concentrated on my naval. Since I often use four legged animals, I couldn't risk anywhere on my back, and in human form it's protected when I wore my armor. Unless they use a range weapon, they won't be able to hit me there with a weapon anyways since I would see the attack coming. It wasn't perfect, but it's the best I can think of due to my shapeshifting abilities.

I picture a bungee cord connecting me to the world from my naval and I stepped into the river.

Imagine jumping into a pit of boiling acid. Now multiply that pain times fifty. You still won't be close to under standing what it felt like to swim in the Styx. I planned to wa lk in slow a nd courageous like a real hero. As soon as the water touched my legs, my muscles turned to jelly and I fell face-first into the current

I submerged completely. For the first time in my life, I couldn't brea the underwater. I finally understood the panic of drowning. Every nerve on my body burned. I was dissolving in the water. I saw faces-Rachel, Grover, Tyson, my mother, but they faded as soon as they appeared.

"Percy," my mom said. "I give you my blessing."

"Be safe, brother!" Tyson pleaded.

"Enchiladas!" Grover said. I wasn't sure where that came from, but it didn't seem to help much.

I was losing the fight. The pain was too much. My hands and feet were melting into the water, my soul was being ripped from my body. I couldn't remember who I was.

The cord, a familiar voice said. Remember your lifeline, dummy!

Suddenly there was a tug from my stomach. Not one I felt whenever I use my powers over water. This was more like someone was yanking a rope attached to my stomach. The current pulled at me, but it wasn't carrying me away anymore. I imagine the string on my naval, keeping me tied to the shore.

"Hold on, Seaweed Brain." It was Annabeth's voice, much clearer now. "You're not getting away from me that easily."

The cord strengthen.

I could see Annabeth now, standing barefoot above me on the canoe lake pier. I'd fallen out of my canoe. That was it. She was reaching out her hand to haul me up, and she was trying not to laugh. She wore her orange camp T-shirt and jeans. Her hair was tied in a ponytail.

"You are such an idiot sometimes." She smiled. "Come on. Take my hand."

Memories came flooding back to me-sharper and more colorful. I stopped dissolving. My name is Percy James Jackson, named after the Greek hero Perseus and my mortal grandfather Jim Jackson. I reached up and took Annabeth's hand.

Suddenly I burst out of the river. I collapsed on the sand, and Nico scrambled back in surprise.

"Are you okay?" he stammered. "Your skin. Oh, gods. You're hurt!"

My arms were bright red. I felt like every inch of my body had been broiled over a slow flame.

I looked around for Annabeth, though I knew she wasn't here. It had seemed so real.

"I'm fine... I think." The color of my skin turned back to normal. The pain subsided. Mrs. O'Leary came up and sniffed me with concern. Apparently, I smelled interesting.

"Do you feel stronger?" Nico asked.

Before I could decide what I felt, a voice boomed, "THERE!"

An army of the dead marched toward us. A hundred skeletal Roman legionnaires led the way with shields and spears. Behind them came an equal number of British redcoats with bayonets fixed. In the middle of the host, Hades himself rode a black-and-gold chariot pulled by nightmare horses, their eyes and manes smoldering with fire.

"You will not escape me this time, Percy Jackson!" Hades bellowed. "Destroy him!"

"Father, no!" Nico shouted but it was too late. The front line of Roman zombies lowered their spears and advanced.

I yelled in response, and the River Styx exploded. A black tidal wave smashed into the legionnaires. Spears and shields flew everywhere. Roman zombies began to dissolve, smoke coming off their bronze helmets.

The redcoats lowered their bayonets, but I didn't wait for them. I dropped down on all four as fur sprouted from my body and a mane formed around my neck as I morphed into a lion.

A hundred muskets fired at me as I crashed into their lines and started mawing through them. Bayonets jabbed. Swords slashed. Guns reloaded and fired. But I never was harmed.

I mowed my way through the ranks, slashing and biting the redcoats into dust, one after another. My mind went on autopilot as I gone full beast on them.

I broke through enemy line and morphed into a Kangaroo as I run-jump my way toward Hades. Hades raised his staff. A bolt of dark energy shot toward me, but I jumped over it as it hit the ground, causing an explosion and kicked Hades out of the chariot.

I then morphed to gorilla form as I planted my feet on Hades chest. I was holding the collar of his royal robes in one fist.

Silence. The army did nothing to defend their master. I glanced back and realized why. There was nothing left of them but weapons in sand and piles of smoking empty uniforms. I had destroyed them all.

Hades swallowed. "Now, Jackson, listen here..."

He was immortal,. There was no way I could kill him, but they can be wounded. I knew that firsthand. But I morphed back to human form.

"I'm not going to hurt you, because I'm a nice person," I snarled. "But you are going to tell me about that trap!"

Hades melted into nothing, leaving me holding empty black robes.

I cursed and got to my feet, breathing heavily. Now that the danger was over, I realized how tired I was. Every muscle in my body ached, and yet, judging from my body, I had not a single mark on me from the attacks.

Nico's mouth hung open. "You just... you just-"

"I think the river thing worked," I said.

"Oh gee," he said sarcastically. "You think?"

Mrs. O'Leary barked happily and wagged her tail. She bounded around, sniffing empty uniforms and hunting for bones. I lifted Hades robe. I could still see the tormented faces shimmering in the fabric.

"Here!" I tossed it back to Nico. "A peace offering to your father. Get him to help."

Nico stared at me. "I... I can't. He'll hate me now. I mean... even more. Let me come with you. I want to help you fight."

"You can help by getting Hades to tell you Kronos' plans and report back to me through dreams like with the Titan Base," I said.

"I'll try but I don't know if I can now," Nico admitted. "Besides, he's still hiding something from me about my mom. Maybe I can find out what."

"Good luck. Now Mrs. O'Leary and I have to go."

"Where?" Nico said.

I looked at the cave entrance and thought about the long climb back to the world of the living. "To get this war started. It's time I found Luke."

A/N: This time I choose the naval over small of the back. Not the armpit as that was suppose to be significant with Percy's and Luke's bond in The Tales of series