Percy POV (Flashback)

When I woke up, the first thing I saw was a woman with eyes the color of a black hole. Suddenly, they became blood-red. I yelped and fell off the bed I was in, wincing at the jolt of pain that thrummed through my body.

Don't blame me. In my defense, this reaction was only normal. What would you do if a normal woman, albeit a bit pale, but nevertheless rather normal, turns into a vampire in front of you? And yes, she did grow fangs. Her skin was paper white to begin with, so let's not start there.

I looked at her closely. Her face was definitely the most defining physical factor. It swirled, moving like a spiral galaxy with no middle. Despite that, the beautiful features of a woman could clearly be made out. She had pure black hair, and her dress seemed to swirl with the galaxies that surrounded her. However, what really made her stand out, (like it wasn't enough, walking down the streets people would have thought that Mars had established foreign communication with Earth) was the aura she radiated. It was so powerful that you immediately would have bowed had the aura not exuded ease and comfort at the same time. However, her expression was anything but. Her lips were split in a snarl. Her fangs bit into her bottom lip, and her crimson irises showed nothing but a deep hunger, the look of one who would obliterate a city and level it to the ground, stomping the ashes and the splinters into the earth, just to get what they wanted.

Suddenly, her expression changed. The fangs disappeared, and her eyes changed from red to a deep, obsidian black. Her lips pursed and the edges lifted up a bit, almost as if she was struggling to contain a laugh. While I doubt her eyes could show any emotion, her overall facial expression seemed to be a mask.

Suddenly, a giggle erupted from her mouth. After that, she started full-blown laughing, her voice resonating through the… whatever it was we were in. The room seemed like a hospital ward, which made me wince, thinking of the times that I saw a friend die in a room similar to this. However, something was not right. The walls seemed to shift constantly, as if they were made from a murky membrane that expanded outwards. Second, why the Hades was her laugh resonating? The room seemed pretty small, but I had a feeling it was much more than it seemed.

In the time that I spent looking around, the woman had composed herself, though a smirk was still on her now open and friendly face. Her dress suddenly swirled as she looked at me, a few galaxies moving to the front of it. My eyes were drawn towards a spiral galaxy on her left shoulder, where I could barely make out a blue-green speck. Was that Earth? Wait, how the heck was I able to see that? I was interrupted from my musing by her amused voice.

"You done staring? By the Void, it's been forever since I had that much fun with a prank. " She said, a mischievous smile still visible on her face. I blushed, blood flooding to my face, and stood up before I replied.

"Yeah yeah, laugh it up. Who are you? Why am I here? What happened?" I winced, hearing my voice. It sounded slightly robotic, and a little amplified.

"You're right, it is slightly robotic. I'm sorry about that, but it can't be helped. That Master Bolt fried straight through your lungs, liver, and spine. It also rendered your windpipe and esophagus useless. Thankfully, I was able to stop time around you and put you in stasis. In that time, we were able to replace all damage done to your nervous system and other organs, as well as setting, fixing, and reinforcing all of your bones with Cryonium, which is indestructible. Some body parts, such as your eyes, were damaged beyond repair so we had to completely remodel them, which is why your senses are much sharper than before. Also, your vocal chords were slightly mangled, so we strung them together with a bit more Cryonium. They are currently being powered by a few Cryotic Essences. Your voice may sound a bit robotic, but you will get used to it soon."

I nodded, still a bit surprised, trying not to picture my insides as a bloody mess. Normally, I would be wary of this woman who just read my mind, but I already had an idea of who she was, and if she was who I thought she was, nothing I could do was actually enough to beat her. On a hunch, I went down to kneel, bowing my head down. "Lady Chaos."

For some reason, I had the feeling she was rolling her eyes. "Stop bowing, it makes me feel like an ancient old prat." She stated bluntly. My eyes widened before I rose.

"So you are Chaos? Creator of the Universe and all that?" I questioned, staring her in the eye. While normally I would have averted my eyes in front of such a powerful being, Chaos exuded an aura of warmth and ease, although it felt like a bit intoxicating. I shook my head, (which hurt) before turning back to the conversation.

"Yes to the first one, no to the second. You see, I am not Creator of the Universe. The Universe was created by the highest being, the one who had every positive attribute perfected. I am the second being, who was made to keep balance between the planets. By the way, the Big Bang happened only because I accidentally blew up a project I was working on."

I blinked. "So you're telling me Chaos blew up her science project, causing more chaos and eventually bringing balance and order to everything that exists?

She grinned. "Yep. Although this isn't the only universe though. Still, it's certainly the biggest."

"Okay…" I muttered. I realized that Chaos was… well, chaotic. She moved from one topic to the other like a whirlwind. If I wanted this conversation to go anywhere, I would have to be a bit more straight up.

"So why did you save me? Why am I here?" I questioned.

"Simple. I saved you because there really was no reason for you to die. You don't deserve to be banished the way that you were, although I'm not really surprised. The gods are a bunch of pompous, power-hungry blockheads, killing whatever and whoever is potentially stronger than them. They only killed you because they were afraid of you, Zeus and your father most of all. Also, I want to give you a job offer."

"What do you mean?"

She sighed. "Look, don't you want to save people without being a pawn of the gods? To actually be free, well, mostly, and fight evil on your own terms?"

I cocked my head. "Well, that would be nice. But how would I do it? Would you help me?"

"Kinda. There are three of my friends on Earth right now. They each take shifts, going around the world in different sectors, and cleaning up whatever evil the other missed. I had a fourth guardian, but... let's just say that the spot is empty now. Some of the guardians are kind of... newly appointed."

I didn't ask. I could already tell that the topic was something Chaos was skittish about, judging by her pained face. "So, you want me to be the fourth guardian?"

She grinned, her white teeth shining. "Yep! You won't meet the other guardians for a while, maybe ever, but I can assure you that while you may be the most powerful given time, they can all easily hold their own against you. So, enough time wasted. Are you in?" She asked excitedly.

I didn't hesitate. "Let's go."

Flashback Over (Finally)

Of course, Chaos forgot to tell me that we were to take the role as the seasons of the Earth, switching to different parts of the world every three months. After I found out about my role as Winter, the first season, I realized that the winds were rather rowdy and hard to control. When I asked Chaos about it after a few months on the job, she gave me her blessing.

The blessing of Chaos is different from the blessings of the other gods. It amplifies the powers you already have, and gives you the powers that you need to fulfill whatever task you have been given. Reflexes faster than light itself are complementary. When Poseidon disowned me, I lost any connection to him. My eyes changed from sea-green to a deep chocolate-brown, and my powers over water disappeared. However, the blessing of Chaos gave me back my aquatic powers, increasing them as well. I was also given raven-black retractable wings that were 16 feet across from wingtip to wingtip. The tips of the feathers were a dark ice-blue color that made my wings shimmer when exposed to the sun.

I realized that I had received powers from Hades after he had blessed me. I had the ability to shadow-travel, cause gems to sprout from the earth, summon the undead, and my earthshaker powers were much stronger. I could also summon dead souls, but it depleted my strength drastically, so I did that a bit less. Basically, I had the powers of the earth, the sky, and the sea at my command.

After a few years of using the powers of Chaos, my eyes changed to a shocking ice-blue color that glowed whenever I used any powers. For some reason, Chaos insisted that I wear an outfit slightly similar to an assassin, so that's exactly what I did.

I traveled around the world, fighting whatever evil threatened the innocent. Wherever I traveled, my aura would cause an aura of cold to appear. For some reason, storm spirits followed me everywhere. I used to avoid them, trying to figure out what the Hades they wanted, before I realized that they served me. I usually let them run free, which causes quite a few storms, as long as they promise not to directly kill anyone.

Anyway, right now I'm flying across the Pacific Ocean, wondering where to stay. We all had palaces on the planet of Chaos, Utopia, but I preferred to stay where I could keep an eye on the cities I was affecting. I hadn't been to Norway or Denmark yet, nowhere near that area. Yeah, maybe I would head there. I sharply angled my wings, catching an updraft and changing direction slightly. (A/N Utopia is where Percy was healed after he nearly died.)

Third Person POV

A dark-haired figure blew over Norway, landing on the peak of the largest of the Scandinavian Mountains. The figure perched on the mountain, where he stayed for a while, not moving. After about 5 minutes, the person cocked his head, as if listening to something. His mouth moved, but the sharp winds drowned out any sound that was being made. The figure flew into the air, dropping down to the base of the mountains next to a lake. He retracted his wings, which disappeared with a resounding shink into the folds of his cloak. He then sat next to the lake, dipping his heavy boots into the water.

Next to him, a violet and obsidian portal opened as the confines of space were ripped in the air. A woman of about 40 stepped through, power radiating off her, although it seemed as if her form was being contained. The robed figure stood up, and made a short, but dramatic bow.

"My Lady Chaos,"

The woman frowned and promptly kicked the man in the shin.

"What the hell have I told you about bowing?" She asked sharply, a trace of humor in her voice.

"You said, many times, that it makes you feel ancient. But then again, you are over 40, while I am barely 18, so it only seems fair that I-oooffhh!" The man was interrupted again by another kick, this one slamming into his stomach.

"You were saying?" She asked sweetly.

"Nothing milady," The man grinned. It was a constant joke between the two of them, the two strongest active beings on the planet. "You have a mission? If you are appearing in your 40 year old form, that usually means something major. Another warlock or rogue mage out to take over the planet?"

Chaos frowned. "Something a lot stronger, actually. On your own, you cannot win against this threat. It will require more than one guardian."

The man lay down on the snow, his hands behind his head. "Oh? Which of the guardians will I be teaming up with? And where will we be going?" He was excited. Chaos had told him that all the other guardians had teamed up with someone at least once. He had yet to meet the other legends.

Chaos leaned on a dead tree. "This mission is the most dangerous one yet. It will require all four guardians. Also," Here, she paused, "the mission is in America."

The man bolted up, suddenly alert. There were only two supernatural powers in America. The Egyptians, who he had already helped a few centuries ago, and… "No. You promised I wouldn't ever have to go there."

Chaos just sighed. "Percy…" Winter tensed, uncomfortable with the way the conversation was going. "You know you have to go there someday."

"No. They are no longer a part of my life. They stopped being a part of my life 666 years ago." Winter growled.

"We both know you don't believe that." Chaos said softly.

Winter sighed, a defeated look on his face. "Fine, I understand. But no way am I revealing myself just yet." Chaos just nodded. Suddenly, Percy's face lit up. "So, how are the other guardians?"

Chaos chuckled. She thought of her other friends, who were all equally mysterious and chaotic. "Well, let's just say that they are just as messed up as you are. And by the way, the hood really won't matter, you've changed so much that I doubt anybody will recognize you."

It was true. Winter no longer had the happy, carefree look around him that Percy used to have. His eyes were sad and dark, not exactly angry, but more passive and brooding. His face was sharper, more defined, and his hair was darker than a black hole, just as messy as ever, but sophisticated. His skin was no longer tanned; it was now pale from being in the cold and away from the sun so much.

Winter shrugged. "Still, I might keep it on out of habit. When do I need to be there? And will we be going to Mt. Olympus?"

Chaos grinned. "Actually, there will be an attack on Camp Half-Blood in 2 days. I need you to be there for that. After that, you can introduce yourself."

"Ok. Although, can you keep the others away? It would be a pretty awesome way to introduce myself if I took on the whole army by myself." Winter said cheekily, a trace of his old self shining through.

Chaos smiled, an idea brewing in her mind that would surely be rather… chaotic. "No promises. If you're late though, I'm going to take away your wings."

Winter paled. His wings were what marked him as a superior of Zeus and Lord of the Skies (Old Zeusy was still trying to figure out why his orders were occasionally being ignored). Without them, the creatures of the sky would acknowledge him, but completely ignore any orders he gave. Chaos had once taken away his wings for staying in Canada too long, and it was a nightmare. By the time he got his wings back, the storm spirits had caused natural disasters all over Canada, the Atlantic Ocean, and the edge of Europe. Cleaning up took years, and Chaos personally took it upon herself to tell Winter how angry the other guardians were at him.

"Sure, sure, I gotcha. What time do I need to be there?" He asked.

"1300 hours. The others will arrive later. After that we'll talk to the gods. Now, I must go talk to the others. And by the way, 6 and a quarter miles. At your 7."

Winter grinned. He got up and stretched, loosening up his shoulders. "All righty then. Cya!"

He flew up in the air, doing a few loops, before sharply banking and breaking the sound barrier as he sped towards a nearby city that was a bit away from the mountains. Upon arriving, he hovered in the air for a few seconds until he found the problem.

A young girl of about 9 was running through a small network of alleys. The little girl was holding a small, golden bow, and was stumbling as she ran, her clothes torn. About 50 feet behind her, 3 men wearing blue jeans and t-shirts were chasing after her, pistols in hand. The girl turned around, still running backwards, and pulled a golden arrow from a quiver behind her back. She fired. Winter watched in astonishment as the arrow nearly connected with its target, flying only about a foot away from one of the men. Then he cursed.

What the Hades was a child of Apollo doing in Europe? And how the heck did she get here? Winter was distracted from his musing when the man in front fired a shot. The bullet hit a wall next to a girl as she turned a corner. She stumbled and Winter flew down behind the men, who were about 15 feet away from her. He waited to see what they would do.

Winter/Percy POV

"Finally found ya, you troublemaking whelp!"

"Flew you across half the world, and you run away now? You got nowhere to go!"

"Soon as we get you inland, you'll be seeing a new family!"

I felt my vision cloud with rage. Slave traders. They would kidnap children from America and ship them to another city that was oblivious to what was happening. They would then take them to different patches of land where they would be forced to work, or steal for their owners. I snarled. The world had degraded a lot in the last 5 centuries.

I caused a blast of wintry air to push them back, and then quickly flew over to the little girl. I casually stood in front of the men with my back to the girl, who had hidden behind a nearby dumpster upon seeing me.

The man snorted, although there was fear in his eyes. Talk about stupidity. "What the hell are you, an angel?"

I smiled, stretching my appendages, a malicious grin on my face that made the men shudder. "Yes, actually. I am an angel of justice. And I am also your end." I said in a sadistic tone, my voice barely above a whisper, yet still heard loud and clear in their ears. Just a little trick Chaos taught me.

The guy in front shivered at my voice for a second before charging. As he ran, he fired off about three shots. I wrapped my wings around myself, the bullets ricocheting off the glittering feathers harmlessly. I swept my foot out, knocking the man off his feet, before stepping on his throat, crushing it easily under my foot. The other two men fired from behind, screaming bloody murder. I slowly walked towards them, my hands darting out and catching every bullet that was shot before dropping them. Chaos reflexes. Gotta love em.

Eventually the men ran out of bullets, and they tossed the guns aside and charged, fear in their eyes after my little Matrix display. I decided to end this here and now. I needed to help the young girl out a bit too, before she ran away.

My hand whipped out, catching one man in the jaw. As the other threw a punch, I whirled underneath his arm, slamming my elbow into his back and breaking his spine. The man crumpled, immobile before he hit the ground. Mr. Flabby Face had stumbled backwards after I had knuckled him. I whipped my wings forward, blue tipped feathers spinning out cutting through the air in a deadly fashion. They embedded themselves deeply into the man who stiffened, falling face forward, dead before he hit the ground in a growing pool of his own blood.

I slowly walked to the girl, who was still cowering behind the dumpster. I carefully retracted my wings, so as not to scare her. She didn't make eye contact with me, looking down at her feet.

"What's your name?" I asked her quietly.

She replied in an equally quiet voice. "Chloe." She trembled slightly, her bare arms wrapped around herself, and I noticed how she wasn't wearing anything warm. She must have been hiding somewhere for a while before they found her.

"Here." I took off my cloak, ignoring the fact that my face was revealed and that my knives and other gadgets were on view for everyone to see. Hopefully if anyone came by, the Mist would cover it up. Besides, it wasn't as if any rumors could go around, since I hadn't been here before, and apparently wouldn't come back for a while.

She wrapped the cloak around herself, shuddering at the warmth. The cloak adjusted its temperature to whatever level was needed to keep the body at a comfortable level. I felt a white-hot spurt of anger rise in my chest at what this girl had gone through, and I took a deep breath to calm myself down.

Chloe still hadn't looked up; she was clutching her bow tightly, her knuckles white.

"Chloe?" I asked gently. "Could you please look at me? I won't hurt you."

She slowly lifted her head. The left side of her face was lightly bruised; the most prominent bruise was on her eye, which was purple. Her matted blond hair was dirty, as if she hadn't showered for a few weeks. She had pale blue eyes that stared at me warily. It was clear from her tensed figure that she was used to running.

I decided to see how much she trusted me. "Don't worry, those men won't bother you anymore. My name is Winter. Can I help you with your face? If you don't want me to I won't, but I can help with some of the bruises." After a few seconds, she decided that I could be trusted, and slowly nodded.

I knelt down, taking out a pouch that hung over my belt. I slowly willed the water in it to come out and form in a vaguely spherical shape. Chloe took it surprisingly better than I had assumed, only stumbling backwards a few feet. Other demigods fell over backwards or fainted, although I suppose that everyone had different circumstances. Still, I could tell that she was strong.

I looked at her quizzically. She slowly walked forward, before standing in front of me. I willed the water to slowly cover half of her face, making sure she could breathe. I stuck my index finger in the water, which rippled slowly for a second, before swirling over the many bruises on her cheek and temple. They slowly faded, and I returned the water to the pouch, straightening up.

Chloe tentatively put a hand over her face, before her face lit up. Suddenly she flew forward, wrapping her small arms around my waist. I looked down and saw that tears were flowing from her eyes and her form relaxed as if she had finally decided to let her guard down, exposing the little girl that she truly was inside. She seemed to have been alone for quite a while. I could tell that her will was crumbling, that she was desperate to find someone she could trust.

A faint smile flickered on my face. I thought of my sister, whom I had taken to the Hunt after Mom and Paul died a few centuries ago. Her name was Andromeda, but everyone called her Andy. I realized that Chloe was in a similar situation. She had obviously been guided by Apollo, which explained the bow. However, Apollo could not directly interfere; therefore, he was forced to watch helplessly as she was deported. I briefly wondered why the Hades the gods weren't sending satyrs after demigods, before realizing that she must have been kidnapped before she could be found, due to her age

I smiled as I realized that Chloe had fallen asleep standing up. Well, her adrenaline rush must've finally worn off. I slowly gathered her in my arms before getting a running start and flying into the air. I covered her head with the cloak and flew low, making sure she wouldn't be affected by the cold.

Despite having to go back, I smirked. For over six and a half centuries now, Artemis had not been able to figure out who was the cloaked male who brought young girls to the Hunter's camp. She was constantly laying traps, trying (unsuccessfully) to capture me. Every time, she failed. Each girl she talked to only said that my name was Winter, and that I had ice-blue eyes. Past that, I requested that they didn't say anything else, although a few may have let slip the fact I that I could heal with water and had wings. Well, tomorrow morning she would get another chance, provided she could make use of it. I doubted it.