A/N: I know I said ten reviews, but I was feeling generous and I just had to get this out. Thanks to my three (is it four?) reviewers! :) LOL!

Disclaimer: I. Do. Not. Own. PJO.

FLAMES ACCEPTED!!! Because I'm sure that I'll get some... ro alot some...

Song suggestion:

1.) Walking Disaster by Sum 41

2.) Bleed it Out by Linkin Park

Summer Solstice

We traveled for a little over an hour in complete silence. Luke never took his eyes off me, and I never took my eyes off the road, my jaw tensed, and hands clenched firmly on the steering wheel, causing my knuckles to turn white.

Nobody said anything, and that was fine with me. I didn't want to talk to them. Not until I had to…

"Take a left," Luke said quietly, "and follow the road signs. Do whatever they tell you."

I nodded, not taking my eyes off the road, clueless as to what he was talking about.

Then I found out.

Oh… Crap! My hands tightened on the steering wheel as I did as told by the road signs, which must have been written in Greek, because I understood them perfectly.

Crap.

The first sign said, "Accelerate to 80mph."

I did. We were coming up on a ramp, and I was wondering if they expected me to jump it.

"Accelerate to 100mph." What?! I stared incredulously at the second sign, yet obeyed.

"Accelerate to 120mph."

We were close to the ramp now, and I started to panic. What were they thinking?

We hit the ramp at full speed and went flying in the air. I would have screamed if I wasn't too shocked. As it was, I had stopped breathing and my heart rate had accelerated to 120mph, too.

I realized then what our target was: a low flying plane that had the bottom hatch open. Oh. CRAP!

We were doomed.

We hit the hatch ramp with a jarring thud that sent my teeth on edge, but we didn't stop. The car kept going at a hundred miles per hour. There was a row of metal shelves in front of us and I had to yank the steering wheel hard to the left to keep us from hitting it.

My foot hit the break and we came to a dead stand-still in the middle of a semi-large room. It was metal and filled with demigods, minor deities, and monsters, all staring at us wide eyed.

I had to pry my hands off the steering wheel. Wow. I decided that I would never do that again. Ever.

I stood in front of the long, gold sarcophagus that was much too long to belong to any human… or mortal.

There was a cold, grating laugh, like stone against stone as Kronos spoke.

"Welcome, young hero. I knew you would see it my way, eventually."

I was kneeling on the cold, marble throne room floor of Mount Tam. with my head bowed after a two hour flight from New York in a jet. My life was seriously messed up.

"Look at me, Perseus…"

I let my eyes rest on the coffin, ignoring Luke and several of his minions who were stationed behind me.

"Swear your fealty and allegiance to me. Swear to obey my every command, for I will be your master."

"I swear," My voice was ragged, but I forced myself to sound confident for the next line I had to utter, the line that I had sworn on the River Styx would never pass my lips. "I swear me fealty, and my allegiance to Lord Kronos, Master of Time. I swear to obey your every command."

There was a sinking feeling in my chest. It was painful and it felt like something dropped out of it into my gut. It must've been my heart.

Kronos' cold chuckle softly boomed across the giant room. "Good… Now arise, my servant, I have a task for you…"

I arose and said, "Yes, master."

It was June 21st, the day of the summer solstice. The Olympians would be having their meeting and there would be a fieldtrip of campers seeing their mommies and daddies at work.

Lucky them.

I had spent the past four days, since I had arrived at Mt. Tam., training with Luke, who was helping me prepare for the upcoming event that I wanted to happen even less than I had of my betrayal: Kronos possessing my body.

It was strange, training with Luke. He had been my enemy for so long, that I half expected him to stop smiling, and suddenly attack me.

Yes. I said smiling. He was laughing and joking around with me like he did my first few weeks at Camp Half-Blood. Like when we were friends. And, despite my better judgment, I found myself laughing with him and enjoying myself. I was having a good time.

Demigods and monsters walked together, and laughed together and lived together. It was sort of like camp, only in a huge mountain ruled by the source of all evil. But, it still reminded me of a family.

My family. For that's what it was, my new family.

But today was the summer solstice, and my master gave me a job to do.

I stood in front of the full-length mirror, examining myself in my new costume. Kronos' uniform policy was a black tunic, black pants, black boots, and a black belt with a silver buckle. Yup. We're all bright and happy here!

I looked over to the desk in my small, study-sized bedroom. On it were two things: Riptide (in pen form) and my new sword, Death Blade.

I thought back to my second day here, when Luke presented it to me…

"Percy!" Luke called.

I turned, seeing a grin on his face that stretched from ear to ear. In his hands was a long, black box.

"Yeah?" I called back, smiling at my friend.

"Come here, I want to show you something, orders from Lord Kronos."

I followed him into the arena, where we did our sparring, as he approached the small table there and set the box on it.

He waited for me to catch up to him before he opened it.

It was lined with black velvet, but it was what was inside it that made my jaw drop in awe and wonder.

"Do you like it?" Luke's grin broadened into an even larger one. He picked up the blade and held it carefully in his hands, balancing it on his fingers rather than the palms.

"It's beautiful!" I stammered, staring at the masterfully crafted blade.

Luke chuckled good naturedly. "I'll take that as a 'yes.' It's yours." He held out the blade to me.

I raised my eyebrows in shock. "What! Mine? But… why?"
"Lord Kronos believed you needed a proper blade, not Anaklusmos doesn't have a bloody history all it's own, but he thought you should have one of your very own. It's yours to name. The Telekhines forged it to fit you perfectly."

I took the sword from him, checking the balance, swinging it in a wide arc, slicing an invisible enemy. It fit perfectly, like an extension of my arm.

I stared at the double-sided blade: half celestial bronze, the other tempered steel, making it lethal to both mortals and immortals.

"It does the same thing as Backbiter," he informed me, "It will teleport you anywhere, inside camp, inside Olympus…"

The hilt was leather, dark blue, almost black, and inlaid with soft, creamy white pearls as grips. It was beautiful, and fit me perfectly.

"Thank you," I stammered, still admiring the blade.

Luke chuckled again before saying, "Now, let's see how well you wield that new blade of yours."

I smiled wickedly. "You're going down."

"Not likely," Luke smiled back, taking his stance.

I took mine as we started to pace, our foot work matching the other's perfectly. All smiles were gone now, all laughter ceased. We circled each other, pacing back and forth. Then Luke attacked.

I smiled at the memory. I had defeated Luke and he, good-naturedly, had declared me the 'best sword fighter in a century'.

I chuckled at the thought.

My mind was drawn back to why I was presented with the sword: to give a warning. Luke wouldn't be there to help me. No one would. My master was trusting me to lead my troop, who was under my command. The power felt good…

I wondered idly if I should take Riptide, but decided against it. Death Blade would do everything I needed.

There was a knock on the door.

"Come in."

The door open and Luke walked in, sporting the same attire I was wearing, though he didn't have to, seeing how he was not leaving the palace. I assumed he was dressed in uniform for my morale support.

"It's time."

I nodded, picking up Death Blade from the table.

"I wish I was going with you," he said, smiling wistfully.

"If you came with me," I teased lightly to lift his mood, "then who would be here, waiting to clean up my mess?"

He laughed. "I suppose you're right." He paused and his smile seemed even more genuine than it had been, and it had been very genuine.

"You'll do fine," he encouraged.

I snorted. "Yeah, right! This is my first assignment, I'm going to blow it. I should have started out with something simpler, something that wouldn't jeopardize our winning this war if I screw up!" I couldn't believe what I was saying. I was talking like the enemy.

Then it hit me: I was the enemy… I let that thought sink in.

"Master has confidence in you," Luke continued to reassure me, and, strangely, I did feel reassured. I felt better knowing that I pleased my master.

Once again, the pain in my chest hit, twisting my organs painfully, the guilt gnawing at my insides… but I smiled. I was ready.

I stood in the practice arena facing Luke, with twenty-three demigods and monsters behind me, waiting for my command.

Luke nodded at me, and I returned the gesture, swinging Death Blade in a wide arc above my head, transporting myself and all twenty-three members of my troop away from Mt. Tam.

Transporting gave you an odd feeling, sort of like having a head rush, and getting that strange sense of vertigo at the same time, only more intense.

When Death Blade finished its arc, we were standing outside the gates of Mount Olympus. I smiled wickedly before waving Death blade in another arc, causing the gates of Olympus to blow open. The power flowed through me like adrenaline. I breathed in the air, smelling nectar and ambrosia, smelling the storm of war brewing on the horizon.

A messenger burst through the doors of the throne room on Mount Olympus, interrupting the twelve Olympians, who were currently discussing the rapidly diminishing borders of Camp Half-Blood.

All conversation stopped and all eyes turned to the disgruntled and wide-eyed man, a minor god, who rapidly spat out his tale.

"Lord Zeus!" He called, panting, "There's a small Titan army coming this way! They just broke through the gates! They claim they come in peace, to give a warning."

A babble of voices broke out amongst the visiting demigods and humans, Artemis' Hunters, in the back of the enormous room.

"SILENCE!" Zeus bellowed, causing all conversation to stop.

"Who is leading?" Hermes asked in his reedy nasal voice. "Is it Luke?"

"No." The messenger's face turned grim. His eyes turned to Poseidon and Zeus. "It's Percy Jackson."

There was chaos. Half-Bloods were gasping, while the twelve Olympians' faces turned grim. Poseidon tightened his hold on his trident.

"Are you sure?" He asked in an emotionless voice.

"Yes."

Thalia, lieutenant to Artemis, face turned stony and rigid, while her eyes held hurt. Grover's face distorted in obvious pain as he held up Annabeth, who had nearly collapsed in her hysterics.

She was crying, her storm-grey eyes letting forth the torrent of rain from a summer thunderstorm.

"NO!" She screamed, disbelieving. "He wouldn't!"

All eyes turned to her as her body racked with sobs. The only thing keeping her from collapsing onto the cold, marble floor was Grover's trembling arms. Chiron placed a hand on Grover's shoulder, and no one noticed the old centaur's face, which was ashen and grim, his soft brown eyes forming tears at the corners…

I confidently walked up the wide, narrowing path that lead to the throne room of Mount Olympus.

Everything was still and unusually quiet. The twisting, bustling streets were now cleared, making way for my posse. I felt the cold, and sometimes hostile, stares of the minor gods and deities, whose perfect day I had interrupted.

I smiled to myself. Perfect…

The walk was long and time passed slowly, yet we quickly found ourselves facing the large doors to the throne room.

We stopped in front of them and they opened. We walked into the dark, ornate room, whose only source of light came from the bright, golden flame from inside the bronze brazier in the centre of the room.

I bowed deeply, with an equally sarcastic smile on my lips. "Hello, Lord Zeus… Father…"

My eyes swept the room until I found them, standing side by side, together. My friends. Thalia looked determined, her face grim, her lips set in a firm line. Grover was trembling, holding a blond-haired beauty in his arms… my blond-haired beauty… my Annabeth.

The pain came again, distorting my innards, temporarily turning my face into a mask of agony… but I quickly recomposed myself and turned back to the twelve angry gods staring down at me with hostile eyes.

I raised an eyebrow. Weren't they going to say anything?

Oh, well, I guess I'd have to start the conversation myself.

"Don't be so antisocial," I chided, "I come bearing good news!"

"And what... exactly," Zeus said slowly, his voice dripping in venom,"would that be?"

I raised my hands in mock surrender. "We come in peace- you don't have to be so hostile!"

I lowered my hands and smirked at there unchanging faces.

"Peace?" Zeus finally asked.

"Yes," I said, smirking further, "You gods may not remember, but Lord Kronos has not forgotten the solstice truce. No being, mortal or otherwise, is to be harmed from sunup to sundown on the days of the winter and summer solstices." My smirk got even bigger. "Any violent action will be seen as an act of war by the other side… So, we can talk peace… or we can start a war… which is it going to be?"

"We are willing to speak calmly," Zeus said coldly.

I continued to smirk. "Good. My master sends his regards," I eyed them all slowly with heated glares, giving my father the worst glare ever.

I had to make it convincing. I had to make them think that I wasn't on their side anymore. It was working… but I hoped that they could see in my eyes, on my face, that I was fighting for them… for myself… for the ones that I loved.

"Perseus," the sun god spoke quietly.

I turned my eyes to him, raising an eyebrow, but he just stared at me with understanding eyes, eyes that held pity and sorrow… for me.

"Lord Apollo," I spoke equally as quiet. "all-seeing, all-knowing… tell me, did you see this coming?"

"Yes," he replied, and his vacant expression turned to one of sorrow, "and I see what you shall do next."

My body froze, rigid, tense. My jaw clenched.

"Don't," he said in a voice that sounded agonized.

"Why?" I replied coldly. "So I can come running back to all of you, a humble servant once more? I don't think so."

"And you think Kronos is any better?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Yes."

He chuckled, and I stared at him incredulously, along with everyone else in the room.

"I have to admit, Percy," he continued to laugh, "you put on quite a good show. You're a marvelous actor, if I may be so bold."

"It's not an act." My reply was cold, stony, and smooth, a perfect façade, but I knew Apollo saw through it.

Was he trying to blow my cover? Couldn't he understand the importance of my act?

His expression turned thoughtful as he leaned back on his throne. He nodded slowly, finally understanding completely. "Alright."

"What are you doing?!"

My eyes turned toward the agonized voice to find Annabeth trembling in Grover's arms. She was no longer crying, but she shook with anger.

I swallowed. "Annabeth," It was nothing more than a whisper. It was all I could say.

"I trusted you." Each one of her words were quiet, calm, her voice dripping with supressed anger.

I nodded, swallowing again, my lips pursed into a tight line. What could I say to her?

"I'm sorry," I choked out, "that it had to end this way." Because I knew I would not survive to see her smile ever again.

"Sorry?" she spat. "You're a traitor, Percy… I hope you rot in Tartarus."

There was another pain in my chest. I couldn't look at her. Tears stung my eyes, but I blinked them away.

I turned my gaze back to the Olympians. I noticed that Aphrodite was smiling, typical.

My voice rang out loud and clear across the throne room. "Any who wish to join Lord Kronos' cause may join now. You will not get this opportunity again."

No one moved. I was glad. I pointedly looked at Annabeth. She glared at me.

I breathed a sigh of relief. Good.

I wanted them all to stay at camp. I nodded. "So be it… Expect the first attack at dawn. I hope you're ready." And it was genuine.

I drew Death Blade from its sheath at my side, where it had been resting, and was about to wave it in an arc when I saw something shimmer between myself and the golden brazier.

It was a woman, dripping wet, wearing an old, faded, dirty, ragged and torn white dress. A puddle of mirky brown water formed on the floor around her. Her eyes and hair were the same color: a muddy brown that looked like silt on the bottom of a river. Her skin was covered in dirt, making the color indecipherable, but I thought that it looked pale under the dirt.

Her expression was blank, dejected. Her head cocked to the side and she blinked once, like she was crazy.

There were soft gasps from around the room and I heard detached whispers from demigods, saying, 'The River Styx!'

Oh. Crap.

"Perseus," a smile formed on her lips, like I'd seen insane people do in movies. She was crazy! Problably from all the polution we humans put in her river when we die.

"You've broken your promise," Her voice was quiet, high pitched, like the trilling of a bird. She brought her head back to its normal position. "Both of them."

My blood ran cold as I realized that she was speaking the truth.

She walked toward me, her bare feet slapping against the wet floor.

I held my ground, but slid my right foot back, ever so slightly, involuntarily.

She stopped walking when she was halfway between me and where she originally stood.

"You swore upon my river that you would never swear allegiance to your new master..." her eyes drifted toward the group of demigods in the corner, resting them on Annabeth.

"You swore upon my river that you would never hurt that girl, intentional or otherwise, as long as you should live..." her head slowly snapped back to me, her eyes antagonizing, "yet here you are, breaking both promises in a matter of days... and preparing to break your ultimate promise..."

I stiffened. She wouldn't tell would she? Would Apollo? They couldn't- it would ruin everything!

"You must be punished, Perseus..."

My voice was shaky, "What are going to do? Kill me? Take a number and wait in line."

She smiled wickedly again. "Sometimes... it hurts one more if I punish them by not hurting them... but someorne they care for..." Her head drifted back to the corner, her muddy brown eyes resting on Annabeth once more.

My jaw clenched. She wouldn't dare.

"Such a pretty girl..." she trilled.

Athena gripped the arms of her throne in anger. She didn't like the idea of Annabeth getting hurt any more than I did.

"Leave her out of this!" I snarled, taking a step toward the nymph, gripping Death Blade.

Her laughter filled the throne room. But something was off about it. It shook, and was choppy, like how an insane person laughed.

But of course, I thought sarcastically, didn't you already decide that she was completely mentally unstable?

Her laughter subsided into soft chuckles. "No..." she said thoughtfully, "I'll leave your friends out of this... and your mother..." Her ugly eyes hardened. "But watch yourself, Perseus... You will be punished... one way or another... severely..."

She smiled again, erupting into another fit of laughter and shimmered out of the throne room, her trilling laughter echoing int the great hall, bouncing off the walls, hiding in the corners, lying on the ceiling.

My face was grim and I showed no emotion as I felt the horrified gaze of everyone's eyes on me.

"We'll be at camp at dawn," I reapeted as I waved Death Blade in one last arc, transporting myself and my companions to Mt. Tam.

A/N: ~sigh~ I know, time for the flames...

Nico: They wouldn't dare

LBP: What did you think of Styx?

Nico: ~shudders~ scary...

LBP: Hhhm... you're right. I guess I did her right, then!!! :)

Both: REVIEW!!!

LBP: EIGHT pages long, dudes! You owe me, big time...