That night, I have a demigod dream. I haven't had one in a while, and have gotten used to the peaceful sleeps. Actually now that I think about it, I'm not sure if it was a demigod dream.

A group of men stood around a giant map of the United States. It looked like they were in a warroom. They were examining the map, which had little red pins all over it. The largest concentration of pins were in New York and San Francisco. Chicago had a fair amount as well. I walk around the map, listening to the men talk.

"When did these strange sightings start?" One of them asks.

"About a year ago." Another answers, "They first started in Chicago. When they first started coming in, we just waved it off as some sort of mass hallucination."

"And then?" The first guy asks. He was clearly the leader.

"Then these sightings started popping up everywhere. That's when this committee was first formed. It's like we'be been pulled into Greece or something."

"And what do you think we should do?"

The other man, who was dressed in a beige suit and dark tie, strokes his beard, "I think we should study them. We don't know what exactly they are. We need to know more.

A third man slams his hand on the table, knocking someone's coffee over, "Shut up you damn historian! I know what these things are. They're a plague, and they need to be wiped out."

"We tried that." The historian guy says, "Surely you remember. Our weapons were completely ineffective against them."

"And have you captured one yet?" The angry army guys demands.

"I think we need to discuss the other thing that popped up at the same time." A fourth man, wearing a formal business, says.

The first man nods, "Yes, we should."

"Are you talking about the kids with the weapons?" The historian asks.

The business man nods, "Yes. I find that more disturbing. How are these kids getting their hands on weapons? Most of them are younger than fifteeen."

"So?" The army man asks, "I say the beasts are more dangerous."

"Both may be connected." A fifth man, who'd been quiet up until now, says.

The first man nods, "That may be so."

"Alright, the most sightings have been in New York and San Francisico." Army dude says, "I say we-"

I'm jerked from my sleep by someone shaking me.

"Come on Percy." Katie says, "We've got to get going."

"Alright, I'm getting up." I mutter and stand up, groaning as I do so, "Give me a few minutes to get ready."

"Oh. Right. Sorry." Katie leaves my room.

I get dressed quickly and head downstairs. Everyone is already in the main room. I smile. It's good to see that everyone is getting along fairly well.

"Well well." Mike grins, "Sleeping Beauty awakes."

"Yeah, I'm up." I say, "I need to Iris-message the gods and let them know that we're coming up. You guys can just chill until then."

The six of them nod. I step outside, pulling a drachma out of my pocket. I then use my water powers to create a fine mist. The morning sun shines through it, creating a nice rainbow.

"Oh Iris, goddess of the rainbow, accept my offering." I flick the drachma into the light, "SHow me the throne room of the gods."

The rainbow shimmers and forms into the image of the throne room. Currently, only Zeus and Hers were in the throne room. They look up when the Iris-message appears.

"Lord Zeus, Lady Hera." I say.

"Perseus. Why have you contacted us." Zeus asks sternly.

"I apologize for interupting." I say, "I have recruited a number of people to my team, and will be heading to Olympus today."

"Thank you, Perseus." Hers says, "It means a lot to the Council that you have done this."

"Report to the Throne Room as soon as possible." Zeus commands and cuts the connection.

I turn around and walk back into the Big House. Everyone is just sitting around, not really talking outside their normal groups. Reyna and Mike are off to the side, whispering to themselves. Bobby and Amelia are glaring at each other again. Azrael appears to be asleep, but his breathing pattern tells me otherwise. Katie is the only one out of place, looking awkward and alone.

I clap my hands suddenly, "Alright people, we're heading over to Olympus. Get your stuff, and get moving."

The Romans look at me warily.

"Not the Gray Sisters again." Bobby moans.

"Take one of the camp vans." I turn.

Chiron is standing, well sitting, in the doorway, keys hanging from his hand.

"I'm driving!" Amelia races over to the centaur, but I snatch them away first.

"No you aren't." I say as I toss the keys to Reyna, "She is."

"Awww, come on Perce." She whines and pouts.

Everyone laughs at her face, and begin to gather up their gear. I was already packed up so I was left standing there as everyone else raced around. As Katie runs by, I catch her arm.

"Make sure you say your good-byes." I say softly.

"I already took care of that." She sighs, "It's gonna be tough, leaving camp."

"It is." I agree, "But you'll still get to see it every once in a while."

She smiles and runs off to grab the last of her things.

Five minutes later, everyone is ready to go. We exit the Big House, saying goodbye to Chiron as we left. At the bottom of Half-Blood Hill sat one of the camp vans. Reyna got in the driver's seat while Mike sat next to her. I opened up the back and ushered everyone in. As I slammed the back door shut, Reyna started up the van. Soon, we were off.

The next thirty minutes of the trip consisted of everyone trying to get to know each other better. Amelia was the most talkative, asking the most questions to everyone else. Most of us humored her, answering the questions and asking ones of our own. The only person who didn't participate was Azrael. He sat in the corner of the van, quietly listening to what everyone said, but never offering words of his own.

Eventually, we arrived at the Empire State Building. Everyone filed out and followed me into the lobby. I walk up to the security desk.

"You know who I am. You know what I want." I say tiredly to the guard.

He looks up at me and nods, "Here you go, Mr. Jackson. YOu know how it works."

"Thank you. Come on guys, let's go."

The seven of us squeeze into the elevator. I insert the security key, and the button for the six hundredth floor appears. I push it and the elevator starts going up. After the agony of terrible elevator music, the doors open up to the majesty of Olympus. The Romans stare forward, mouths agape. I'd forgotten that they've never been to Mount Olympus. Azrael was trying very hard to look unimpressed, but it didn't work.

"Romans...and Azrael." I announce, "I present you: Mount Olympus!"

I wait a minute before shoving Mike, "Alright, we'be got to move. The meeting is starting soon. We can go and be tourists later."

Katie laughs behind me as everyone begins moving again. The Romans and Azrael continue to gaze around the city, admiring everything about it. Annabeth and Malcolm really had done a very impressive job.

I also noticed the unusual amount of attention we were drawing. Nymphs and minor gods and goddesses were looking out of windows, or peeking out from behind bushes. It was kind of weird. Sure, seven demigods walking towards the Throne Room is not normal, and generally not good, but I didn't expect this level of attention. SOme of them must recognize me. I mean, I'm here fairly often, or at least ore often then most demigods.

Amelia drops back and whispers, "Hey Perce, why arer they staring at us?"

I shrug, "Not sure." I whisper back, "I expected some level of attention, but not this much."

"It's like they're scared of us or something." She notes.

I look around. Amelia is right. THe faces showed a bit of curiosity, but most were filled with apprehension. That's never good.

"Just ignore it." I say, trying to brush the stares off myself.

Eventually, we reach the doors of the Throne Room and Bobby, who'd been leading us out front, stopped. Everyone turns and looks at me.

"What?" I ask, "Just push the doors open and enter. They're expecting us."

Katie smirks, "You're our leader. You go in first."

I open my mouth to protest, then realize something. They're right. As much as I hate to admit it, I did bring these people together. I'm their leader. It may be a small gesture, but it is necessary. Sighing, I step forward and push the doors open. The other six follow behind me.

All twelve Olympians are already present when we arrive. No matter how many times I see them all gathered here, I have to admit that it's a little scary. Come on, twelve all-powerful beings who can kill you with a look are glaring down at you, it's more than a little nerve-wracking. I approach the centre of the room and bow, Katie, Reyna, Mike, and Bobby following suit. After a moment's hesitation, Amelia and Azrael bow as well.

"Perseus." Zeus thunders.

I look up.

"Is this the team you have selected to serve under you?" He asks.

I nod, "Yes Lord Zeus. They are: Katies Gardner, daughter of Demeter; Azrael Evans, son of Thanatos; Reyna Ramirez-Arellano, daughterof Bellona; Michael Kahale, son of Venus; Bobby Ricardo, son of Somnia; and Amelia Angstrom, daughter of Mercury."

"Do you consider them to be a worthy team?" Artemis asks.

"Yes." I nod again, "Each person has skills and abilities that will be invaluable in the coming years."

"Hold on a second." Ares says suddenly, "Why aren't any of my kids on the team?"

"Are you questioning my son's judgement?" Poseidon demands.

"That little punk doesn't know skill if it kicked him in the rear!" The War God exclaims, "I mean, he's got a daughter of Demeter on the team."

"What was that!?" Demeter screeches.

"I need need people who can keep a cool head in any situation, not bloodthirsty attack dogs." I snap at Ares, "Demeter is one of the elder goddesses, so I believe that Katie has untapped potential."

Demeter smiles at me, then goes back to glaring at Ares, who still looks angry. He opens his mouth to speak, but Zeus cuts him off.

"Does the Council accept Perseus Jackson's choices for his subordinates? All in favor?"

Eleven hands go up.

"All opposed?"

Ares raises his hand.

"It's decided." Zeus announces, "The COuncil accepts your choices."

I bow, "Thank you."

Now it is time to deal with some of the technicalities accociated with this group." Athena says.

"Technicalities?" I ask.

Athena nods, "The first will be your living accommodations."

"Living accommodations?"

"Your current residence is too small to serve as a living place for all seven of you." Zeus says.

"Not to mention a complete dump!" Aphrodite adds unhelpfully.

"Yes." Zeus sighs, "That as well. The Savior of Olympus should not me living in such poor conditions, thus we have selected a new place of residence for you and your team."

He snaps his fingers, and a sheet of paper appears in my hands. I look down and read the Greek writing. Wait what?

I look up at Zeus, "Are you sure you got the right address?"

He nods.

"This is like, the most expensive penthouse in all of New York!"

"Percy, you are the Savior of Olympus. This apartment is barely worthy of you." Poseidon says reasonably.

"Yeah, ok." I wave that point aside, "But won't it be weird if seven relatively young kids suddenly have enough money to rent that place?"

"It won't be if you have world-renowned architect Ariel Grayson with you." Athena says.

Ariel?" Poseidon asks, smirking.

"I chose the name before that movie came out." Athena says, though I think I see a slight blush for some reason.

Then it clicks, "Wait, you're going to be moving in with us, Lady Athena?"

"That doesn't mean I like you, Jackson." She says sharply, "This is merely the most logical course of action. I will be monitoring the team and determining its effectiveness."

I shrug, "Ok."

"Is there anything else that needs to be brought to the Council's attentions?" Zeus asks.

When he receives no answer, he grunts, "Very well. This council is dismissed."

Most of the Council flashes out. The only ones who remain are Demeter, Poseidon, Athena, and Aphrodite. The goddess of love winks at me, then disappears as well. It was weird though, almost as if she wasn't directing it towards me. The other three Olympians shrink down to normal size and begin walking towards me. I get the sense that they want to speak with me in private.

"Hey Katie." I say, "Why don't you show the others around the city. I'll catch up."

She looks at the three gods coming this way, "Yeah, sure. Come on, now we get to be tourists."

My team files out just as the three get to me. The first thing that happens is that Poseidon wraps me in a hug.

"My boy is back." He says.

"I was always here." I frown in confusion.

"You haven't been yourself this past year. It is good to see you finally letting people back into your life." He says.

I disengage the hug, "Yeah, sure dad."

"I'll be seeing you later." He says, "Perhaps I might stop by and take a look at your new home." With that, he disappears.

Demeter then comes over, "Thank you for standing up for my daughter. My children are not always considered the most powerful."

"Many people do not give your children credit merely because they are peaceful." I reply, "I believe your children ate stronger than most think. Besides, it was fun to mess with Ares."

Demeter smiles at the last part, "That was quite entertaining. Take care Perseus."

She vanishes as well, leaving the scent of wheat. All that's left is Athena and I

"Let's get moving Perseus." She says briskly.

I nod and follow her out of the Throne Room.