I just want to say thanks for all of the reviews. The feedback is awesome! I know that last chapter was short, but I hope this one makes up for it. I'm surprised so many people enjoy reading this.. I'm glad though! Just a heads up, there will be mature themes in chapter five, don't say I didn't warn you. Without further adu: Ch 4

The dream I have after getting knocked out makes me wish I wasn't me. Being a demigod, moments like that come way too often.

I find myself standing on the Brooklyn bridge. The bridge really is magnificent, a living throwback. It's made up of garnet, limestone and cement, while also sporting a suspension chord stay system. The US actually declared it National Landmark in... Ok, I've been spending waaaay too much time with Annabeth.

I take a look around, expecting to find campers from the Hermes cabin, but find only bent swords and pulverised shields. A battle has raged here. This must be the aftermath, as I see no people, just an ominous mist that harbors my vision. Sudden anger swells up in my chest, at the sight of friendly plumes littered across the bridge. I silently curse myself for missing the battle even though I know this won't be the last combat I'm not a part of.

I feel the water, flushing into the East river from the Atlantic. But even this usually calming sensation seems concealing, like a door ready to be broken down. Right on cue, I feel the waves rise and crash down with unnatural force. A howl grows in the wind, as fog begins to swirl around the bridge. The winds pick up speed and the water is just a few feet from roaring over the side of the bridge. I try to calm the storm, but the water shows no compliance. I can barely get my feet to move. I strain my head back, towards Manhattan, searching for anyone, but still find nothing. The only thing I can make out in this haze is the glowing form of the Empire State Building.

At last, the water rises over and meets the winds. They churn together with such harmony that I can't but help be as amazed as I am scarred. No, I am not scared. Still, I have never sensed a more powerful storm. This is my game, my element and yet I know this storm is not within my ballpark. But a reverberating Code of Honor pulses through my veins. Do not fear the water.

I concentrate all my will to stop the cyclone. Straining, all I am rewarded with is exhaustion. The waves continue to pound the bridge, suspension chords swing in the howling gust. I groan in frustration. It's like trying to bench press two thousand pounds, where your max is two hundred. The now deafening roar of the wind spins my head, almost laughing at my helplessness. I'm gathering my will, focusing on the water, but a presence seems to counter me. Everything I know about possessing water, it knows. This has got to be the most angry water nereid ever.

I get the idea to try the wind, but before I can, my body goes numb. The storm, somehow still growing, swarms around me. No, it's not swarming. It's condensing, focusing on only me. I strain to ward off the attack. I lose my footing on the slick cement and as I fall to my knees, I close my eyes. I wait out the gales tearing at my shirt, the sharp stings of water I've never felt before. The force now grows stronger. I rack my brain for any hints of evil sea spirits, but none come to mind. What can summon a storm whose speed only increases? And I'm certain this thing could destroy the Empire State building in seconds, even in this now personalized form.

I've given up all hope of control over the storm, certain it will destroy everything from the bridge to Broadway, when it abruptly stops. I open my eyes and watch in an amazement as the storm takes form of a being. An old sea spirit, come to taunt me about the war under the sea, I guess. The winds penetrate the form and churns the water with so much force it's a wonder it holds together, but the shape continues to condense.

All around us, the haze slowly clears. Sunlight shines on the island and you can almost hear the birds sing. I look over my shoulder and see three figures standing on the near end of the bridge. I spot Annabeth first, wearing a smile that lacks any sign of the ensuing war that's torn her apart. She flashes me a wink that makes my stomach do jumping jacks. The boy standing next to her is a bit shorter. It's Grover, wearing his usual cap, t-shirt and jeans, topped off (or bottomed off) with a pair of fake feet in sneakers. He's doing the windmill with one arm, urging me over, a wild grin dawning his face. The largest figure stands behind them. Chiron, with his neatly trimmed beard and solemn brown eyes, shakes his head at Grover, but his antics earn a laugh from Annabeth. Chiron rolls his eyes in response, but regards me, putting a hand in the air, gesturing toward me offhandedly. Behind them, I can almost make out Olympus shimmering above the Empire State.

This is impossible!

New York is saved. My friends are happy. Still on my knees, I turn my head back toward the thing that threatened all of that only moments again.

I fall backwards, sprawling a good three feet from the tempest. The roaring wind and surging waves have compacted into a very normal looking boy. Lightning flashes throughout his body, his skin a color that of dark rainclouds. His smile is crooked, with aloof confidence. His messy black hair is swept to one side or the other.

But the most striking feature is his eyes.

Deep green eyes bore into mine, daring me to take my best shot. The message is sent with such tenuity that he could easily be about to ask, 'what's up?'. I know because I gaze upon this very look everytime I see a mirror. The boy gets to his feet and turns his back on me. He stands tall and proud, eager to face an opponent. His right hand reaches into his pocket and pulls out a pen. It's Riptide. Flabbergasted, I fish for Riptide in my pocket. I find it, safe and sound.

Then it hits me. This thing...is me. That storm could have wiped out the entire island. It spelt the end of everything I know. But now, it stands as a safeguard, detouring any march on the city. It's uneasy to even be near this thing- er, I mean- me. Wait, not like that. It's uneasy being so close to super-Percy. His whole form seems to be sparking with energy. He's like an atom bomb ready to go off.

No. I'm the atom bomb, ready to go off. This is what Poseidon was warning me about. Without control, I pose more peril to Olympus than I do good. But used to this potential... I glance again at super-Percy. He stands contently, seemingly okay with holding his ground until a challenger approaches. Waiting for anyone foolish enough to threaten...This. I turn my head back towards Annabeth, Grover and Chiron. The silhouette of the Empire State glows brighter than ever, Olympus beams above it's peak.

I turn back toward super-Percy, but find him gone. I whirl back toward Annabeth and find her also missing, along with Grover and Chiron. The bridge, so high and mighty, dissolves from underneath me, sending me into a free fall. The water under the bridge no longer exists, instead I fall straight into a bottomless pit. My body goes numb again. Face up, I fall, glaring at the receding blue dot of Manhattan sky, one clear message pulsing throughout my body. I can save it all.

I still feel the sensation of falling when I open my eyes. It gives way to butterflies when I see Annabeth. She holds my head in her lap, eyes in deep concentration somewhere off to my left. I sense the river and know Annabeth is thinking of the river spirits. I still don't know how I'm going to get their attention. She rest one hand on my chest, while the other runs it's fingers through my hair, occasionally twirling the ends. If I think about it, this may seem weird; Annabeth is my best friend. But I can't deny the pleasure it brings. For just a second I forget my prophecy, the Titan Lord's march, everything. For just a moment, I wish I could stay right here with her, forever. But then reality sets in and I force myself to move, breaking the perfect silence.

"Miss me?" I croak, attempting to sit up, lamely falling back down to her lap.

Annabeth takes a deep gasp, like she's been holding her breath for awhile. She very well might have been, her face is so flushed. After crossing her arms, she goes still. Concern fills my heart. "Hey, you okay?", I question.

Still no response. Her eyes, bloodshot, won't leave the river. She looks so exhausted, I guess from carrying me a few city blocks. Her arms aren't crossed, they're more like hugging her abdomen. I'm about to flip this situation and rest her in MY lap, she looks so tired. I take her hand, desperate to break her out of her trance. At last, she looks down at me and feigns a smile. Her hand is icy cold, definitely not a good thing. I try to be genuine as I return the gesture, but seeing her like this makes it difficult to smile.

Annabeth stares into my eyes, her face slowly regaining color. I gaze back and notice her usually occulting storm gray eyes seem to clear, if by just a degree. "Yeah, I'm fine."

Those are the last words either of us speak for awhile. I don't dare break another perfect moment, Annabeth seems perfectly content with now and for a glorious minute there is now war. But a sudden rush a blood fills her cheeks and she gets to her feet, pulling her hand back. I keep my head from hitting the ground, but I can't help but frown from the withdrawal of her cradle.

"Well?", she looks at me expectantly, still rosey red.

I get to my feet. "Huh?".

She throws her arms toward the river.

"Ooooh. Right."

Annabeth rolls her eyes. I stick my tongue out at her. I turn on the river, thinking about how to go about this. I conclude there is no precedented way and begin wading into the surf. Hopefully I won't be too long, I can sense the monstrous levels of pollution whirling down the river. Finally, my head goes under.

I can't help but close my eyes. The water is so murky, even a son of Poseidon feels obligated to wear goggles. I have to remind myself I have work down here to do before I reopen my eyes. It's not as bad as I would have thought, but I still have to concentrate for a good minute to adjust. At best, I can see about twenty feet in front of me, but I can still sense everything around me. Yet even that isn't too helpful, with all the debris swimming around. I really don't feel like chasing river spirits around in this mess, but I can't be in two places at once. The rivers must become impassable.

I feel the current lazily drifting north-northeast.. I sense the river has following the same pattern for centuries.. Maybe if that changes..

My plan works almost before it even starts. I open a whirlpool, effectively reversing the current. As soon as it takes with it the very first piece of debris- an old, shriveled converse shoe- the whirlpool is molded into a fountain spout, shooting straight up, until it sputters out. And then silence.

"Hello?", I venture. It's hopelessly flat, but hey, I'm the son of the Sea God, not the conversation God.

"What are YOU?". Two men in tattered clothes appear in front of me. They display quizzical looks, bags displaying years of no rest. They would probably not have come forward if not for their curiosity.

"Um.. I'm Percy Jackson. Are you the spirits of the Hudson and the East?"

"Well we aren't dead humans", one scoffs.

"You must be aware of the state of the world above."

"I don't know about the world, but the island is sure in trouble. Heavy siege weapons are converging on Manhattan's shores." The smaller, leaner one speaks up.

"Will you not stop them?" I raise my tone

"We will. Although us spirits enjoy entertainment. We'll stop the first wave of enemies, Percy Jackson. But take this." He hands me a dark, round sphere the size of a golfball. A gleaming white center burns through the otherwise black surface. Just as I begin to wonder what it could be, the same spirit speaks up.

"The Hudson and myself will keep our promises. As long as the ones promised to us are kept. Once you determine your location in the city as safe, burst the sphere. Good luck."

The spirits' goodbye is dry and undesiring... Yet admirable. Like a team you hate, but have no choice but to respect them for their skill. Their showing me safely to the bank seemingly wasn't included in that respect. Just as they stifled the whirlpool, they stifled my questions by gushing my being skyward. I broke the surface and began an uncontrollable arch toward the land. Miraculously, I managed not to land on my face.

Thanks to Annabeth breaking my fall. She seemingly had been lost in thought, gazing at the southern skyline, highlighted by the Empire State Building. When it became apparent a collision was unavoidable, I turned my freefall into a heat-seeking tackle. I wrapped my arms around her torso, turned her body to the left slightly and effectively allowed her hips to absorb most of the impact. Still, she seemed a little more than taken off guard. Laying in the grass, I could still hear her gasping from the initial impact.

She turns in my grasp, wraps her legs around my back and grins. I have the urge to pinch myself, not believing the position she has just put me in. Suddenly, like something straight off UFC, she turns me completely over, sliding in and out of my grasp, and before long I find myself face down and a very tempered demigod keeping me there.

"Well, hello there Seaweed Brain." She starts sarcastically. "If you want a hug, you've got to give me more warning than that."

My cheeks flush. "I Hate river spirits. Get off of me." I squeeze out. The abrupt response registers and I feel her hold lifted.

"How did it go?" Her playful smirk replaced with a down-to-business look.

"Great actually." I pull out the sphere. "Although, we may have a drawback.. or two." I lose myself in thought about the vision...

"What is that? Give it here." Annabeth creases her brow at the spirits' sphere, a look I've seen a million times; where it be with her nose in a book, embedded in a game of scrabble or directed at Grover's antics. This simple feature is enough to make me actually smile, a rare feat nowadays.

"I'll show you, After we secure the island. It must be used during a time of safety. As of right now, Manhattan is anything but safe."