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.

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

Hyperion is Defeated When Pigs Fly

Before I could tell Annabeth what I learned about Kronos' forces, Thalia pulled me aside. "What did Prometheus show you?"

Reluctantly, I told her about the vision of May Castellan's house. Thalia rubbed her thigh like she was remembering the old wound.

"That was a bad night," she admitted. "Annabeth was so little, I don't think she really understood what she saw. She just knew Luke was upset."

I look out at Central Park. Small fires were still burning in the north, but the otherwise the city seemed unnaturally peaceful. "Do you know what happened to May Castellan? I mean-"

"I know what you mean," Thalia said. "I never saw her have an, um, episode, but Luke told me about the glowing eyes, the strange things she would say. He meade me promised never to tell. What caused it, I have no idea. If Luke knew, he never told me."

"Nico and I met her before we went to the underworld. She mention she tried for a job that didn't work out," I said. "I first thought she might have guided demigods through Daedalus labyrinth since she wasn't affected by the Mist, but she said it was something different. Then in the vision Hermes mention Luke's destiny. Even Lady Hestia mention something about what happened. I wonder if its all connected and Hermes knew about it."

"I don't know, but you can't rely on what Prometheus showed you. Prometheus was trying to manipulate you to turn against the gods."

"Scary thing was, he almost did," I admitted. "But then I remember that vision of the two titans Nico showed me. They mention not trusting a nephew and I realized Prometheus might of been who they were talking about."

"I'm not surprise the other titans didn't trust Prometheus," Thalia said. "I'm mostly worried about Annabeth. If she has to face Luke in battle, I don't know if she can do it. She's always had a soft spot for him."

Blood rose to my face. "She'll do fine."

"I don't know. After that night, after we left his mom's house? Luke was never the same. He got reckless and moody, like he had something to prove. By the time Grover found us and tried to get us to camp... Well, part of the reason we had so much trouble was because Luke wouldn't be careful. He wanted to pick a fight with every monster we crossed. Annabeth didn't see that as a problem. Luke was her hero. She only understood that his parents made im sad, and she got very defensive of him. She still is defensive. All I'm saying... don't you fall for the same trap. Luke made his choices and given himself to Kronos. We can't afford to be soft on him."

I looked out at the fires at Harlem wondering how many mortals were in danger right now because of Luke's bad choices.

"You're right," I said.

Thalia patted my shoulder. "Go ahead and get some sleep. I'll tell Annabeth about Kronos' position. Whether we can trust Prometheus or not, that's the closest thing we got to information on Kronos' positions."

"The last thing I need is more dreams."

"I know, believe me." Her dark expression made me wonder what she'd been dreaming about. It was a common demigod problem: the more dangerous our situation became, the worse and more frequent our dreams got. "But Percy. There's no telling when you'll get another chance for rest. After I give Annabeth the report I'm going to check on the Hunters, then get some more sleep myself. It's going to be a long night-maybe our last night."

I didn't like it, but I knew she was right. I nodded wearily and gave her Pandora 's jar. "Do me a favor. Lock this in the Hotel vault, will you? Make sure none of Hermes kids see it."

Thalia smiled. "You got it.

I found the nearest bed and passed out. But of course sleep only brought more nightmares.

I saw the undersea palace of my father. The enemy army was closer now, entrenched only a few hundred yards outside the palace. The fortress wall were completely destroyed. The temple my dad had used as his headquarters was burning with Greek fire.

I zoomed in on the armory, where my brother and some other Cyclopes were on lunch break, eating from huge jars of Skippy extra chunky peanut butter (and don't ask me how it tasted underwater, because I don't want to know). As I watched, the outer wall of the armory exploded. A Cyclops warrior stumbled inside, collapsing on the lunch table. Tyson knelt down to help but it was too late. Cyclops dissolved in sea silt.

Enemy giants moved toward the breach, and Tyson picked up the fallen warrior's club. He yelled something to his fellow blacksmiths-probably "For Poseidon!"-"but with his mouth full of peanut butter it sounded like, "PUH PTEH BUN!" His brethren all grabbed hammers and chisels, yelled, "PEANUT BUTTER!" and charged behind Tyson into battle.

Then the scene shifted. I was with Ethan Nakamura at the enemy camp. WHat I saw made me shivered, partly because the army was huge, partly because I recognized the place.

We were in the backwoods of New Jersey, on a crumbling road lined with run-down businesses and tattered billboard signs. A trampled fence ringed a big yard full a cement statuary. The sign above the warehouse was hard to read because it was in red cursive, but I knew what it said: AUNTY EM'S GARDEN GNOME EMPORIUM.

I hadn't thought about the place in years. It was clearly abandoned. The statues were broken and spray-painted with graffiti (I'm guessing without Medusa, its safe for people to vandalize the statues). A cement satyr-Grover's Uncle Ferdinand-had lost his arm . Part of the warehouse roof had caved in. A big yellow pasted on the door read: CONDEMNED.

Hundreds of tents and fires surrounded the property. Mostly I saw monsters, but there were some human mercenaries in combat fatigues (I don't even want to know how they are awake) and demigods in armor, too. A purple-and-black banner hung outside the emporium, guarded by two huge blue Hyperboreans.

Ethan was crouched at the nearest campfire. A couple of other demigods sat with him, sharpening their swords. The doors of the warehouse opened, and Prometheus stepped out.

"Nakamura," he called. "The master would like to speak to you."

Ethan stood up warily. "Something wrong?"

Prometheus smiled. "You'll have to ask him."

One of the other demigods snickered. "Nice knowing you."

Ethan readjusted his sword belt and headed into the warehouse.

Except for the hole in the roof, the place was just as I remembered. Statues of terrified people stood frozen in mid-scream. In the snack bar area, the picnic tables had been moved aside. Right between the soda dispenser and pretzel warmer stood a golden throne. Kronos lounged on it, his scythe across his lap. He wore jeans and a T-shirt, and with his brooding expression he looked almost human-like the younger version of Luke I'd seen in the vision, pleading with Hermes to tell him his fate. THen Luke saw Ethan, and his face contorted into a very inhuman smile. His golden eyes glowed.

"Well, Nakamura. What did you think of the diplomatic mission?"

Ethan hesitated. "I'm sure Lord Prometheus is better suited to speak-"

"But I asked you."

I can

I can't help but wonder if Kronos don't fully trust Prometheus anymore than the other two Titans.

Ethan's good eye darted back and forth, nothing the guards that stood around Kronos. "I... I don't think Jackson will surrender. Ever."

Kronos nodded. "Anything else you wanted to tell me?"

"I-I think Jackson only showed up to find out our position," Ethan said. "Probably planned by Chase."

"I'm not surprise. He keeps good counsel with him. But it don't matter. We will still take the city." Kronos noted. "You look nervous, Ethan."

"No, sir. It's just... I heard this was the lair of-"

"Medusa? Yes, quite true. Lovely place, eh? Unfortunately , Medusa hasn't reformed since Jackson killed her, so you needn't worry about joining her collection. Besides, there are much more dangerous forces in this room."

Kronos looked over at the Laistrygonian giant who was munching noisily on some french fries. Kronos waved his hand and the giant froze. A french fry hung suspended in midair half way between his hand and his mouth.

"Why turn them to stone," Kronos asked, "when you can freeze time itself?"

Suddenly the Titan lord winced. The giant in the corner unfroze and the french fry fell into his mouth. Kronos stumbled backward and sank into his throne.

"My lord?" Ethan started forward.

"I-" The voice was weak, but just for a moment it was Luke's. Then Kronos' expression hardened. He raised his hand and flexed his fingers slowly as if forcing them to obey."

"It is nothing," he said, his voice steely and cold again. "A minor discomfort."

Ethan moistened his lips. "He's still fighting you, isn't he? Luke-"

"Nonsense," Kronos spat. "Repeat that lie, and I will cut out your tongue. The boy's soul has been crushed. I am simply adjusting to the limits of this form. It requires rest. It is annoying, but no more than a temporary inconvenience."

"As... as you say, my lord."

"You!" Kronos pointed his scythe at a dracaena with green armor and a green crown. "Queen Sess, is it?"

"Yesssss, my lord."

"Is our little surprise ready to be unleashed?"

The dracaena queen bared her fangs. "Oh, yessss, my lord. Quite a lovely sssssurprissse."

"Excellent," Kronos said. "Tell my brother Hyperion to move our main force south into Central Park. The half-bloods will be in such disarray they will not be able to defend themselves. Go now, Ethan. We will talk again when we have taken Manhattan."

Ethan bowed, and my dreams shifted one last time. I saw the Big House at camp, but it was a different era. The house was painted red instead of blue. The campers down at the volleyball pit had early '90s hairstyles, which were probably good for keeping monsters away. .

Chiron stood by the porch, talking to Hermes and a woman holding a baby. Chiron's hair was shorter and darker. Hermes wore his usual jogging suit with his winged high-tops. The woman was tall and pretty. She had blond hair, shining eyes and a friendly smile. The baby in her arms squirmed in his blue blanket like Camp Half-Blood was the last place he wanted to be.

"It's an honor to have you here," Chiron told the woman, though he sounded nervous. "It's been a long time since a mortal was allowed at camp."

"Don't encourage her," Hermes grumbled. "May, you can't do this."

With a shock, I realize I was seeing May Castellan. She looked nothing like the old woman I'd met. She seemed full of life-the kind of person who could smile and make everyone around her feel good (like my mom, now that I think about it).

"Oh, don't worry so much," May said, rocking the baby. "You need an Oracle, don't you. The old one's been dead for, what , twenty years?"

"Longer," Chiron said gravely.

Hermes raised his arms in exasperation. "I didn't tell you that story so you could apply. It's dangerous. Chiron, tell her,"

"It is," Chiron warned. "For many years, I have forbidden anyone from trying. We don't know exactly what's happened. Humanity seems to have lost the ability to host the Oracle."

I know what happened thanks to Nico, but I didn't know what happened to those that tried. With a sinking feeling, I realize I might have already found out without realizing it.

"We've been through that," May said. "And I know I can do it. Hermes, this is my chance to do something good. I've been given the gift of sight for a reason."

I wanted to yell at May Castellan to stop. I knew what was about to happen. I finally understood how her life had been destroyed. But I couldn't move or speak.

Hermes looked more hurt more than worried. "You couldn't marry if you became the Oracle," he complained. "You couldn't see me anymore."

I wonder if he had hopes to make May immortal and marry her like Dionysus did for Ariadne. Then again, if they did I don't know how Luke would of been raised since gods can't raised their demigod children.

May put her hand on his arm. "I can't have you forever, can I? You'll move on soon. You're immortal."

He started to protest, but she put her hand on his chest. "You know it's true! Don't try to spare my feelings. Besides, we have a wonderful child. I can still raise Luke if I'm the Oracle, right?"

Chiron coughed. "Yes, but in all fairness, I don't know how that will affect the spirit of the Oracle. It never taken a woman who has already borne a child. If the spirit does not take-"

"It will," May insisted.

No, I wanted to shout. It won't.

May Castellan kissed her baby and handed the bundle to Hermes. "I'll be right back."

She gave them one last confident smile and climbed the steps.

Chiron and Hermes paced in silence. The baby squirmed.

A green glow lit the windows of the house. The campers stopped playing volleyball and stared up at the attic. A cold wind rushed through the strawberry fields.

Hermes must've felt it too. He cried, "No! NO!"

He shoved the baby into Chiron's arms and ran for the porch. Before he reached the door, the sunny afternoon was shattered by May Castellan's terrified scream.

I sat up so fast I banged my head on somebody's shield.

"Ow!"

"Sorry, Percy," Annabeth was standing over me. "I was just about to wake you."

I rubbed my head, trying to clear the disturbing visions. Suddenly a lot of things made sense to me: May Castellan had tried to become the Oracle. She hadn't know about Hades' curse preventing the spirit of Delphi from taking another host. Neither had Chiron or Hermes. They hadn't realized that by trying to take the job, May would be driven mad, plagued with fits in which her eyes would glow green and she would have shatter glimpses of her child's future.

"I'll tell you later," I said. "What's going on?"

Annabeth looked concern. "I just looked in my shield. There's an army-"

"Heading south into Central Park," I said remembering the vision of Ethan and Kronos Earlier. "I know."

I told her my dreams, leaving out Ethan's speculation about Luke fighting Kronos inside his body. I didn't want to get Annabeth's hopes out. I decided to leave out what happened to May, remembering what Thalia said about Annabeth not really understanding what was going on when she was traveling with them.

"Any idea what surprise Kronos was talking about?"

Annabeth shook her head. "I didn't see anything in the shield, but I don't like surprises. But I talked with T halia about what Prometheus shared about the Titan army's position, and we decided to divide the campers instead of cabins to cover each Cabin's strengths and weakness. Counselors will still lead each group.

"Good idea," I agreed. "We can't afford to have Kronos take advantage of our positions like he did last night."

I grabbed m y sword and made sure my shield/watch was strapped to my wrist.

Thalia and the head counselors-or rather second-in-command in the case of Hephaestus and Aphrodite as Beckendorf and Silena hadn't returned yet-were waiting for us at the reservoir. The lights of the city were blinking on at twilight. I guess a lot of them were on automatic timers. Street lamps glowed around the shore of the lake, making water and trees look even spookier.

"They're coming," Thalia confirmed, pointing north with a silver arrow. "One of my scouts just reported they've crossed the Harlem River. There was no way to hold them back. The army..." She shrugged. "It's huge."

"We'll hold them at the park," I said. "Grover, you ready?"

He nodded. "As ready as we'll ever be. If my nature spirits can stop them anywhere, this is the place."

"Yes, we will!" said another voice. A very old, fat satyr pushed through the crowd, stumbling over his own spear.

He was dressed in wood bark armor that only covered half of his belly.

"Leneus?" I said

"You again," Bianca said with a glare. I guess she haven't forgiven the council of Cloven Elders for calling her out as Daughter of Hades who can't be trusted. Then again children of Hades has the fatal flaw of holding grudges, so I guess Leneus should count himself lucky.

"Don't be surprised," he huffed. "I am a leader of the COuncil, and you did tell me to find Grover. Well, I found him, and I'm not going to let a mere outcast lead the satyrs without my help!"

Behind Leneus' back, Grover made gagging motions, but the old satyr grinned like he was the savior of the day. "Never fear! We'll show those Titans!"

I didn't know whether to laugh or be angry, but I managed to keep a straight face. "Um... yeah. Well, Grover won't be alone. Annabeth assembled a team to make their stand here with him. Meanwhile Thalia's team will stay with me."

I didn't dare call Thalia's team my team as there were other hunters among the team and I don't think the hunters are most likely not fond to idea of being led by a boy. Although Bianca isn't as experience as the rest of the hunters Thalia assigned, Thalia wanted her with us incase we need a children of the big three team up against the titan.

Thalia patted me on the shoulders. "We are ready."

I looked at the other counselors and subs. Annabeth had even assigned Pollux and Castor had a team which is a good thing since they are the only demigod sons of Dionysus. "That leaves the rest of you with a job just as important. You have to guard the other entrances to Manhattan. You know how tricky Kronos is. He'll hope to distract us with this big army and sneak another force in somewhere. It's up to you to make sure that doesn't happen. Has each of you been assign a team and a bridge or tunnel?"

THe counselors nodded grimly. Not that I can blame them. Although cabins do team up for capture the flag back at camp, we never divided the cabins themselves. This is something new and unexpected, which is something Kronos won't fully expect.

Unless the spy already informed him, a nagging thought said.

I pushed that aside as it was too late to change my mind now.

"Then let's do ir," I said. "Good hunting everybody!"

...

We heard the army before we saw it.

The noise was like a cannon barrage combined with a football stadium crowd-like every Patriots fan in New England was charging us with bazookas.

At the north end of the reservoir, the enemy vanguard broke through the woods-a warrior in golden armor leading a battalion of Laistrygonian giants with huge bronze axes. Hundreds of other monsters poured out behind them.

"Positions!" Annabeth yelled.

Her team scrambled. The idea was to make the enemy army break around the reservoir. To get to us, they'd have to follow the trails, which meant they'd be marching in narrow columns on either side of the water.

At first, the plan seemed to work. The enemy divided and streamed toward us along the shore. When they were halfway across, our defenses kicked in. The jogging trail erupted in Greek fire, incinerating many of the monsters instantly. Others flailed around, engulfed in green flames. Apollo campers and hunters in Annabeth's team started firing arrows as other threw grappling hooks around the largest giants and pulled them to the ground. In the woods on the right, the archers on Thalia's team send volley of arrows into the enemy line, destroying twenty or thirty dracaenae, but more marched behind them. Bianca must have summoned some undead hunters to help us out, because I swear there were more arrows than archers assigned with Thalia. Then a bolt of lightning crackled out of the sky and fried a Laistrygonian giant to ashes, and I knew Thalia must be doing her daughter of Zeus thing.

Grover raised his pipes and played a quick tune. A roar went up from the woods on both sides as every tree, rock, and bush seemed to sprout a spirit. Dryads and satyrs raised their clubs and charged. The trees wrapped around monsters, strangling them. Grass grew around the feet of the enemy archers. Stones flew up and hit dracaenae in the faces.

The enemy slogged forward. Giants smashed through the trees, and dryads faded as their life sources were destroyed. Hellhounds lunged at the timber wolves, knocking them aside. Enemy archers returned fire, and a Hunter fell from a high branch.

"Percy!" Annabeth grabbed my arm and pointed at the reservoir. The Titan in the gold armor wasn't waiting for his forces to advance around the sides. He was charging toward us, walking straight over the top of the lake.

A Greek firebomb exploded on top of him, but he raised his palm and sucked the flames out of the air.

"Hyperion," Annabeth said in awe. "The lord of light. Titan of the east."

"Bad?" I guessed.

"Next to Atlas, he's the greatest Titan warrior. In the old days, four Titans controlled the four corners of the world. Hyperion was the east-the most powerful. He was the father of Helios and Selene, the first sun and moon gods."

"I'll keep him busy," I promised.

"Percy, even you can't-"

"Just keep our forces together."

We set up at the reservoir for good reason. I dropped down on all four and grew and morphed into an African Elephant and started to stampede. As I did I concentrated n the water and felt its power surging through me.

I stamped over the top of the water. Yeah, buddy. Two can play that game.

Twenty feet away raised his swords. His eyes were just like I'd seen in my dream-as gold as Kronos' but brighter, like miniature suns.

"The sea god's b-" he mused. "The one who trapped Atlas beneath the sky again. This should be fun."

His body ignited in a column of light and heat. I closed my eyes and kept charging. Although I was still blinded, I just kept moving forward until I slammed into something. I felt shockwaves that sent ten foot ring of water across the surface of the lake.

Even with my eyes shut, they burned. I had to shut off his light. I concentrated on the tidal wave and reversed it. Before impact, I shrunk down to a otter and dove just as the water smashed into Hyperion

I surfaced and climbed myself and willed the water to push me on top as I morph to human form. Hyperion struggled to his feet. His goldeen armor was dripping wet. His eyes no longer blazed, but they still look murderous.

"You will burn Jackson!" he roared. A wall of force slammed me through the air-just as Kronos did on the bridge. I morphed into an armadillo before I slammed into the ground. The combination of my invulnerability and Armadillo armor I survived it.

I morphed back to human form. "I really hate it when you Titans do that."

Hyperion closed on me with blinding speed. I morphed back into elephant form as I concentrated on the water, drawing strength from it. We collided, but Hyperion couldn't land a blow this time as he skidded back. The ground around his feet kept erupting in flames, but I kept dousing it quickly as I slammed into him again.

"Stop it!" the Titan roared. "Stop that wind!"

I wasn't sure what he meant. I was too busy slamming into him repeatedly sending Hyperion stumbling each sprayed his face, stinging his eyes. The wind picked up, and Hyperion staggered backward.

"Percy!" Grover called in amazement. "How are you doing that?"

Doing what? I thought.

Then I finally noticed that I was standing in the middle of my own personal hurricane. Clouds of water vapor swirled around me, winds so powerful they buffeted Hyperion and flatten the grass in a twenty yard radius. Enemy warriors threw javelins at me, but the storm knocked them aside.

Sweet, I thought (since I was still in elephant form. But a little more!

Lightning flickered around me. The clouds darkened and rain swirled faster.

"Percy!" Grover called again. "Bring him over here."

I went into another stampede. Hyperion tried to ignite, but the hurricane quenched his flames. Then, with the combine force of my hurricane and elephant form I slammed into Hyperion, sending him flying straight to where Grover was waiting.

"i will not be toyed with!" Hyperion bellowed.

He managed to get to his feet again, but Grover put his reed pipes to his lips and began to play. Leneus joined him. All around the grove, every satyr took up the song-an eerie melody, like a creek flowing over stones. THe ground erupted at Hyperion's feet. Gnarled roots wrapped around his legs.

"What's this?" He protested. He tried to shake off the roots, but he was still weak. The roots thickened until he looked like he was wearing wooden boots.

"Stop this!" he shouted. "Your woodland magic is no match for a Titan!"

But the more he struggled, the faster the roots grew. They curled about his body, thickening and hardening into bark. His golden armor melted into the wood, becoming part of a large trunk.

The music continued. Hyperion's forces backed up in astonishment as their leader was absorbed. He stretched out his arms and they became branches, from which smaller branches shot out and grew leaves. The tree grew taller and thicker until only the Titan's face wa visible in the middle of the trunk.

"You cannot imprison me!" he bellowed. "I am Hyperion! I am-"

The bark closed over his face.

Grover took his pipes from his mouth. "You are a very nice maple tree."

Several of the other satyrs passed out from exhaustion, but they'd done their job well. The Titan lord was completely encased in an enormous maple. The trunk was at least twenty feet in diameter with branches as tall as any in the park. The tree might've stood there for centuries.

The Titan's army started to retreat. A cheer went up from our teams as I morphed back to human form and my hurricane died down. But our victory was short lived.

Because just then Kronos unleashed his surprise.

REEEEET!

The squeal echoed through upper Manhattan. Demigods and monsters alike from both sides froze in terror.

Grover shot me a panicked look. "Why does that sound like... it can't be!"

I knew what he was thinking. Two years ago we'd gotten a "gift" from Pan-a huge boar that carried us across the Southwest (after it tried to kill us). The boar had a similar squeal, but what we were hearing now seemed higher pitched, shiller almost like... like if the boar had an angry girlfriend.

"REEEEEET!" A huge pink creature soared over the reservoir-a Macy's Day nightmare blimp with wings."

"A sow!" Annabeth cried. "Take cover!"

Demigods scattered as the winged lady pig swooped down. Her wings were pink like a flamingo's, which matched her skin beautifully, but it was hard to think of her as cute when her hooves slammed into the ground, barely missing one of Annabeth's siblings on her team. The pig stomped around and tore down half an acre of trees, belching a cloud of noxious gas. Then it took off again, circling around for another strike.

"Don't tell me that thing is from Greek mythology," I complained.

"Afraid so," Annabeth said. "Crommyonian Sow. It terrorized Greek towns back in the day."

"Let me guess," I said. "Hercules beat it."

"Nope, your brother Theseus did," Annabeth said.

Well that was reassuring. Yeah Theseus was another well known hero and son of Poseidon, but I seen his spirit (thanks to Bianca spying on her brother at the time), and he didn't any different than me. So hearing his victories after seeing his spirit helps improve my mood.

The Titan army was recovering from its shock. I guess they realized the pig wasn't after them.

We only had seconds before they were ready to fight, and our forces were still in a panic. Every time the sow belched, Grover's nature spirits yelped and faded back into their trees. One of Annabeth's sibling did manage to get a grappling hook wrapped around the base of the pig's wings before it slammed into the ground (on its own accord not because of the grappling hook) forcing him to let go, so now the sow had a grappling hook wrapped around its wings and rope dangling as it flew.

:That pig has to go," I decided. "I'll take care of it. You guys hold the rest of the enemy. Push them back!"

"But, Percy," Grover said, "what if we can't?"

I saw how tired he was. The magic had really drained him. Annabeth was still in fighting condition, but she can't hold off an army on her own.

Just then, as the enemy army was now between them and us the ground broke open and ghostly hands rose. Suddenly an army of undead hunters rose and armed themselves with bows and arrows and started firing into the enemy's flanks. I'm starting to see why Hades wanted Bianca to be the prophecy child over her brother if she can call on this much help. Makes me glad she's on outside.

"Looks like Bianca got us covered for now," I said. "Back them up and retreat if you have to. Just slow them down. I'll be back as soon as I can. I dropped down and my body grew as cales formed and wings grew from my back until I was in dragon form. I only used this form once before as a failed scared tactic but if I was going to get this sow's attention, I'm going to need something besides pegasus or peregrine falcon form.

I spread my wings and took off flying right into the sow. It turned around and looked at me with pure rage. I let out a dragon's roar and flew off toward downtown with the sow behind me.

We flew past the Plaza Hotel, straight into the canyon of fifth avenue. We zigzagged along several blacks and continued south to Park Avenue. I didn't really have a plan how to defeat this pig, but right now I want to get it as far from my friends as possible.

Boss! Hey, boss! Out of the corner of my eye I saw Blackjack speeding along next to us, darting back and forth to avoid the pig's wings. I didn't question how the heck Blackjack knew the dragon was me as I'm sure there aren't that many winged creatures allowed to fly in Manhattan right now, (How this pig bypass the wind gods is beyond me).

Grand Central Terminal lay dead ahead. Above the main entrance stood the giant statue of Hermes, which I guess hadn't been activated because it was so high up. An idea flashed in my mind.

Blackjack, I thought

Oh, so you're the dragon. I thought you were giving a flying pig a go, Blackjack thought.

I don't want to know why Blackjack thought I would do that nor do I want to know. No, I'm the dragon. Draw the pig's attention away from me. I got an idea.

Oh, I hate your ideas.

But Blackjack moved infront of the sow and gave her a horse kick. And whined insults. The pig screamed int rage and lost interest in me and went after Blackjack. Fortunately Blackjack was faster than the pig.

I lowered myself under the pig and slowed down until I was right at the rope from the grappling hook. I quickly grabbed it with my dragon claws and shrank down as scales was replaced by fur as I now was Orangutan.

Get it to fly above the head of the statue of Hermes, I thought to Blackjack.

I don't know how Blackjack heard me but he rose, taunting the pig some more so it would rise too. Using Orangutan power, I swung outward with all my might. Instead of smashing into the Hermes statue, I whipped around it, circling the rope under its arms, tethering the rope to the statue. The pig must have some momentum, because wrenched the statue loose from it's pedestal.

I hoped to tie down the pig for the next part of my plan, but since Hermes statue was still on the leash, this will have to do. I climbed up and clinged to the rope over Hermes head and morphed back to human form as I'll need my voice for the next part.

"Hello Hermes!" I yelled. "Command sequence: Daedalus twenty-three. Kill Flying Pigs! Begin Activation."

Immediately that statue moved its legs and I took my qué. I morphed into a flying squirrel and used the wind stream of us flying and spreading my arms and legs and I flew off behind the statue and pig before morphing into Peregrine falcon to fly normally.

By the looks of it, my plan seemed to work. The statue was now activated. It seemed confused to find that it was no longer on top of Grand Central Terminal. It was instead, being given a sky ride on the end of a rope by a large winged sow. It smashed through the side of a brick building, which I think made it a little mad. It shook its head and began to climb. Meanwhile Blackjack was still keeping the sow's attention on himself.

I glanced down at the street.I could see fires here and there around the city. It looked like my friends were having a rough time. Kronos was attacking on several fronts.

Then I saw we were coming up on the main public library, with the big marble lions flanking the steps. Suddenly I had a weird thought: Could stone statues be automatons too? It seemed like a long shot, but we are talking about a guy who manages to make an Automaton look human enough to fool those around him.

Using the speed of a peregrine falcon's control falls they are known for, I zoomed past the sow and Blackjack and reached the library before they did. I landed on the steps and morphed back to human.

"Blackjack! Lead it over here!" I called. Blackjack flew toward the library doors and circled around it.

I then yelled. "Lions! Command sequence: Daedalus Twenty-Three. Kill Flying Pigs! Begin Activation!"

The lions stood up and looked at me. They probably thought I was teasing them. But just then: "REEEEEET!"

The massive pink pork monster landed with a thud, cracking the sidewalk. Lions stared at it, not believing their luck, and pounced. At the same time, a very beat-up Hermes statue leaped onto the pig's head and started banging it mercilessly with a caduceus.

I didn't have to do anything from there as the three Automatons smashed and clawed the pig into disintegration. I almost felt sorry for it. I hoped it got to meet the boar of its dreams down in Tartarus or next time it reforms. I just hope not destroying demigods while at it.

When the monster had completely turned to dust, the lions and Hermes statue looked around in confusion before charging down Park Avenue. I got the feeling they weren't going to defend Manhattan but rather look for more flying pigs.

Hey, boss, said Blackjack. Can we take a donut break?

I wiped the sweat off my brow. "I wish, big guy, but the fight still going on."

In fact I could hear it getting closer. My friends needed help. I jumped on Blackjack and we flew north toward the sound of explosions.