The rhythm of the stories is going to be funky for the next few months, I'm in college and I need to focus on that. I promise I will finish this story, it should be done in around 3 chapiters. Also, you fine ladies and gentlemen, tell me if you want me to do other stories with Zoe's character and insert her at other points in the Percy Jackson story line. I would like to do one where she spawns in during the Titan's curse, but I need to think it through.

Anyways, enough rambling, I hope you enjoy this new chapiter!

Chapiter 4

''Zoe, why did you call me your father?'' I asked in a soft voice, kneeling in front of her and gently putting a hand on her shoulder. The girl was still avoiding eye contact with me and the other demi-gods, huntress and nature spirits had gathered around us. Since Zoe wasn't talking, I looked to Annabeth who looked at me with a frown. She shared her gaze between me and Zoe, as if analysing us.

Grover was the one who broke the silence. ''I mean I can see the resemblance. You two have the same eye color, some facial traits, she can control water, and while she does smell weird, even for a half-blood, I can smell a trace of the sea in her. Maybe she's a daughter of Poseidon and she mistook you for him when you summoned that storm against Hyperion?'' He had tried to make sense of it, but I don't believe he even thought what he said was right. There was no way she could mistake me as a Poseidon, she knew what I looked and already knew I was his son.

Thalia frowned, walking towards me, and grabbing me by the shirt. ''Speaking of! How did you do that!? You had lightning crackling around you in that storm you made! I thought this was MY thing!?'' I raised my hands up as if I was taken hostage. ''I don't have a clue either Thalia, I swear!'' The girl removed her hand from my shirt and scoffed. She was about to continue talking but Annabeth cut her off.

''It's not the time to argue about that! We just learned that Percy has a daughter for Hades' sake!'' She turned to make, her gray eyes piercing into my soul. I was about to answer, but Zoe cut me off. ''It's not his fault! I… I made a mistake. I… How can I say this…'' She seemed to be panicking as she got out her neckless that was hidden under her shirt and started playing with it. I recognized what it was immediately. It was a camp neckless with a number of beads so high it made no sense as to how a girl as young as her could have it. Examining closer I recognized a few beads. A black bead with a turquoise Trident, a bead representing the golden fleece attached to Thalia's pine tree and a bead representing a maze.

''But… how…'' Annabeth let out, almost inaudibly. ''I know it might sound crazy but… I'm… I'm not from here.'' Zoe said, clenching her neckless even more. ''This doesn't help much, Zoe…'' I said, softly. She took a deep breath and looked at me straight in the eyes. ''You're my dad. I'm from the future.''

There was a moment of silence. ''I can prove it! I know all about the stories of your quests! About how you went to see uncle Hades because the god's thought grandpa made you steal the lightning of uncle Zeus! I know you went to the see of monster and got back the flee. You healed auntie Thalia and now she's not a pine tree!'' She tried to continue but Annabeth cut her off. ''Hold on! Time travel? How is that even possible!''

Zoe pressed her index fingers together, her gaze averting from everyone, who were staring at her in disbelief, and then at Percy. ''Mom and other people you haven't met yet. They built it. I wanted to try it out, but I didn't know how to use it… Its close to this park, I can show you.'' Hold on… mom? ''Wait! Percy's married? Who's your mom!?'' Grover exclaimed. I heard a small snicker and turned to see Thalia, looking at me with a smirk. Did she have an idea of who it could be?

Before anything more could be said, Phoebe, whom I knew was amongst the oldest huntress, made her presence known, standing next to me. ''Zoe… you named her after her…'' She said, an expression of shock evident in her face. ''I guess future me and my… wife did. It's a good choice, I didn't know her very well, but we became friends before she passed away.'' Phoebe nodded in gratitude, and so did the older huntresses who knew Zoe before her passing. Thalia also had a smile on her face. Despite her and Zoe's relationship starting off disastrous, the two had become friends before the former Lieutenant of Artemis' passing.

A thought crossed through my mind. ''Hold on. If I have a child in future, then that means we actually win this war. That means I live to be an adult! Zoe, how old am I where you come from!?'' The girl looked hesitant to answer, but finally did. ''You are 34. I have two older brother and I'm going to have a baby sister soon. Or if I can go back…'' I couldn't believe it. Next to me gasps were heard. A demi-god, son of the big three no less, living to his 30's. ''You will go back Zoe. I might not be your actual dad, at least not yet anyway, but I'd still do anything to protect you.'' The little girl teared up, hugging me.

The words of the prophecy rang out in my head. A hero's soul, a cursed blade shall reap, a single choice, shall end his days. I felt my knees weaken, happiness filling my entire being, and I sat down on the grass. ''I'm not going to die. I thought a cursed blade was supposed to reap my soul.'' Thalia smiled, putting her hand out for me to take. I took it and she helped me get back up. ''Told you prophecies were unreliable, Kelp Head.'' She said, smugly. I chuckled. Then, the daughter of Zeus approached Zoe. ''You called me auntie Thalia earlier, right?'' Zoe nodded and she was enveloped into a hug.

''Percy, your daughter is absolutely adorable! She certainly didn't get that from you.'' A couple of campers around us laughed, and even some of the hunters of Artemis. I heard Annabeth mutter under her breath. ''Still… I wonder who her mother is…'' She said it low enough for nobody to hear it, except for maybe Grover but he was still in shock from the different revelations. I could detect something in her voice though, an emotion that I didn't know how to qualify.

GROINK!

The noise was heard through the north of Manhattan. Immediately as we heard the noise, we went back into formations. The different revelations of Zoe were shocking no doubt, however, we could not forget that we were in war. Grover turned to me. ''Why does it sound like… no… it's impossible!'' I knew what he was talking about. Two years ago, while we were on a quest to rescue Artemis from the hands of Atlas, the god Pan had sent us a gift, a giant wild boar that transported us all the way through the Mid West (after trying to kill us of course). The scream sounded similar, however there was difference. This one sounded higher pitched, as the if the giant wild boar had a girlfriend that was just as giant as himself. And just as angry too.

Just then, a giant creature rocketed through the sky, like an airship, but faster, and if that airship had giant bird wings. ''A flying pig!'' Annabeth screamed. ''Everyone take cover!'' She ordered. Everyone scattered as the pig swooped down. One of Annabeth's brother managed to dodge the hooves of the pig crashing down to flatten him like a pancake. Even form where I was I could tell she smelled absolutely horrendous.

She then flew back up into the air, preparing her next assault. ''This thing is really from Greek mythology.'' I grumbled to Annabeth, who was a few meters in front of me. ''As crazy as this sound, yes. It's the Sow of Cromyonnian Sow.''

''Let me guess. Heracles killed it.'' Annabeth shook her head. ''No. From memory, I don't think anyone managed to kill her.'' The panic was spreading through our troops and the army that had retreated after we defeated Hyperion was walking back towards us. I took the grappling hook of one of Annabeth's brother. ''I'll take care of this thing. Meanwhile, hold the rest of the monsters off.''

''Percy, we can't. We're already tired.'' Grover said. I knew he was right, the magic the satyr had used to imprison Hyperion had drained all of them and the demi-gods were still tired from the fighting earlier.

''Retreat then. Just try to slow down their advancement to the best you can.'' I finally ordered. Annabeth nodded, taking control of our troops. Meanwhile, I threw my grappling hook at the pig, and I went flying with her.

I had managed to kill the monster with the help of Blackjack as well as using the different living statues Dedalus had built throughout New York. We were lucky Annabeth had the man's laptop.

I was now at the center of Manhattan that had become the center of a massive battleground. On Blackjack I had a view of the entire thing. In the North, a few huntresses had set up a line of defense on the 37th street, two blocks off the Entire State Building. East side, one Park Avenue, Jake Mason and a few of his brothers from the Hephaistos cabin were leading a bunch of bronze statues against a large group of monsters. On the west side, the Demeter cabin as well as many different nature spirits had turned Sixth Avenue into a living jungle to block a squadron of demi-gods loyal to Kronos. The south was still free, but not for long. Enemy troops were approaching and in a few minutes we would be completely surrounded.

I needed to go where I was most needed, but the problem was, there was need for reinforcement everywhere. I then saw a familiar banner, in the effigy of a silver owl. Annabeth and two of her siblings were protecting Zoe, pushing back a Hyperborean giant. ''There!'' I yelled. Blackjack swooped down behind the giant and I shoved my sword through its brain. The monster froze completely before crumbling down. Annabeth panted, trying to get back her breath. ''Thanks Percy.'' She finally said.

Zoe ran towards me. ''Dad! You beat that weird monster right?'' She hugged me, and I patted her on the back. I was not used to this at all, but you don't live through a life like mine without being able to adapt. ''Of course I did. There's no way I'd lose to a flying pig!'' Annabeth chuckled. ''True. There's no way I could ever see myself announce to your mom that you died from a flying pig attack.'' She then shot me a warm smile that made my heart do a backflip in my chest. Maybe if I was Zoe's father… I looked at the girl, her blonde hair reminding me of Annabeth. 'Maybe Annabeth is…' Before I could finish this train of thought, a voice interrupted.

''We need to go. We're needed elsewhere.'' Annabeth's brother said.

The hour that followed passed in the blink of an eye. I had fought like I'd never fought before. With Annabeth we ran from one side to the other, my sword cutting and hitting through every monster and enemy demi-god in my way. As night went on we were all retreating, step by step. One each side were now at one street of the Empire State building.

''Hold the lines!'' Katie Gardner yelled out. I saw my dog, Kittie O'Leary, jumping into crowds of monsters and using them as chew toy. Thalia was now going at it in close combat, having traded her bow and arrows with her spear and magical shield. I was fighting like a tornado, jumping around slaughtering monsters with every strike of my sword. Their weapons smashed against my skin, doing absolutely nothing. It wasn't enough. When a dracaena tried to stab me from the side, a jet of water splashed against her face. I turned to see Zoe, hands outstretched. A nearby fire hydrant was now leaking, and I shot her a smile. After killing the monster, I focused on all surrounding water source around me. Many fire hydrant and the sewers. I raised my hands, and every fire hydrant blew up, as well as every sewer drain. A colossal amount of water was sent towards the monsters, as I made sure none of my allies were caught in the crossfire.

''Thalia!'' I yelled out. She seemed to know exactly what to do, as she shoved her spear into the torrent of water and let out a scream, sending an enormous amount of electricity coursing through it. The sound of hundreds of monsters crying out in pain surged, and most had turned into dust by the sheer scale of the attack. This had risen our moral and Jake Mason launched a modified bomb in the middle of the massive attack. Greek fire spread through the ranks of the enemy army, and more screams of pain were heard.

Sadly, this moment of triumph was quickly cut out by a blast of air that sent the massive attack away. Behind the defeated troops of Kronos stood other monsters, and at the center of them, stood the Titan himself. He was surrounded by a small platoon of Laestrygonians carrying banners, and his radiating golden aura made it look as if the Sun was rising already. His scythe was gleaming menacingly, and I tightened my grip on my sword. ''We need to retreat to the entry of the Empire State building. We have to defend it at all costs!'' Annabeth said to me.

She was right. I was about to give the orders until I heard a resounding war horn was heard. A choir of other war horns answered from all around us, the sound deafening. The clapping of hooves was heard, as if an army of knights on horseback was joining the battle. Thalia turned to me. ''It's not the huntresses, we're all here.'' Meanwhile, the monsters looked just as confused as us.

''I think I have an idea of who it is!'' Annabeth said, a huge smile on her face. That was when the army made its entrance. Arrows fell from the sky onto the monsters, and hundreds of centaurs made their entry. ''I apologize for the delay!'' Chiron yelled at us. He was dressed in armor, his bow in hand and a sword at his side. At this point the entire army of Kronos was being pushed back, the sheer number of centaurs as well as the chaos was enough to make monsters panic. As if rejuvenated, we all charged into battle as well, until Chiron yelled out: ''Stop! We need to retreat!''

I knew he was right. Annabeth and I gave the order, and soon enough, we established a perimeter of defense around two blocks deep and a command tent at the Empire State building. We had displaced most of our material from the hotel to our new base, where our best healers were working tirelessly.

Discussing with Chiron, we learned that he had assembled groups of Party Ponies from around the country. In total, there was around 500 centaurs fresh and ready to fight. Despite all of that however, I knew that wasn't enough to defend more than a few blocks. The monsters were still outnumbering us, and Kronos was going to come back with a vengeance for this humiliation. He was growing in strength, the golden halo that was surrounding him last night was proof enough.

''Chiron, thanks. You really saved us.'' I thanked my mentor. Annabeth hugged him, and Kitty O'Leary licked him. ''Sorry it took so long. And yes dog, I'm happy to see you too.'' He grumbled, pushing the Hellhound off him. His smile disappeared, and his eyes became more serious. ''Our time is numbered. As soon as Kronos will gather his troops, he's going to come back on the offensive. We won't be able to count on the element of surprise.''

''What of Typhon?'' I asked. I still felt guilty, knowing that I had a role to play in his wake. Hard to stay asleep when a kid decides to blow up the volcano you're sleeping under. However, my dad had already told me Typhon would've awakened anyways. ''Dionysus is out of commission, he crashed somewhere in the Appalachian region. Same for Hephaistos, he was ejected from the battlefield so hard he created a new lake in the state of Virginia. He's going to be fine but it's going to take him a few days to recover. Won't be enough. The other gods are still fighting but at the rhythm Typhon is going, he's going to arrive to Manhattan tomorrow at the same hour.''

''How are our chances then? We can't last more than a day.'' I asked Chiron. ''Well, that's what we'll need to do.'' Thalia said. ''I'm going to set traps around.'' She got up. She looked tired, her clothes were covered in monster dust, and she had a few cuts and bruises. ''I'm going to help you out Thalia. I also need to stop my brothers from going too far on the party.'' The old teacher said. He then turned to Zoe, who was staring at him. ''And who might you be, young one? I don't think I've seen you at camp half-blood.'' I chuckled, rubbing my head. ''How can I say this? You see, Chiron, she's my…'' Before I could finish, Thalia cut me off, putting an arm around Zoe. ''This is my niece, Zoe. She's also Percy's daughter from the future.''

The old centaur's eyes stayed wide for a few seconds. He looked alternately between Zoe and me, and then at Thalia. He then turned to Annabeth, surely expecting her to say it was a prank, but no. Annabeth had stayed serious, just like me. ''What…'' He finally let out.