Manhattan in the light of day looked almost post-apocalyptic. The crumpled buildings showed no signs of life, not even rodents or fowl dwell in the ruins. It was silent and ominous as the rubble of buildings towered above them, shadowing them almost in complete darkness for the sun had just risen and its light was not yet strong enough to push away the dark. Thalia (HoH) bit her lip, concentrating on what needed to be done, "Stay close, keep your eyes peeled for any monsters. Just because Manhattan has been destroyed doesn't mean that there is any exception."

Slowly the group made their way through the maze of the city, they came to an intersection where Thalia stopped them all, "Okay, I think it would be a good idea to split up and look for Percy. Piper, you take Annabeth from the first time and Grover from the fifth time. Leo, you take Thalia from the fifth year, Silena and Beckendorf from the fourth year. I will take Annabeth from the fifth time, Percy from the first time, and Grover from the first year. Grover, from my time obviously, you will take Percy from the fifth year, Rachel from our time, and Clarisse from the first year. Is that clear? Get in your groups."

Hazel frowned, "Thalia, what about Frank and I?"

"Frank since you are a shapeshifter--."

"How did you know he--."

"--Because I have been watching a few movies. Go and search the area from above, I thought Hazel would provide you some company." Thalia smiled.

The couple smiled and thanked her, Frank turned to Hazel, "Piggyback?"

She laughed and nodded, Hazel jumped on his back as he turned into a giant golden eagle and took off. Down below she saw the other groups of the expedition spreading out to search Manhattan.

"I hope we find him." She sighed.

"We all do," Frank replied.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After a few hours of searching, there was still no sign of the missing demigod, not until Piper chimed into the radio, "Thalia!"

Hazel's radio vibrated at the voice, "Yes, Piper?" Thalia (HoH) replied.

"We found Sally, but she has been frozen to a side of a building. Leo, could you make your way to us?"

The radio vibrated once again as Leo's voice came through the radio. "Yeah, Piper your position?"

"Just north of where Percy's apartment was located."

"On it!"

Thalia's voice once again came through the device, "All groups, go to that location immediately. Is that understood? All groups head that way immediately so we may get more Intel and take a small break."

Hazel bit her lip, "Frank can you see where they are from here?"

Frank nodded, his eagle eyes scanning the Manhattan below, "I can see them, but I want to check something out first before we go there."

"What do you see?"

"A building a couple of blocks from where they found Sally, it looks like there is a massive sinkhole inside of it." He said as he changed directions toward the building.

"Are you sure--."

"I see someone in there, Hazel, even if it's not Percy and just a mortal we still need to help them."

Hazel smiled slightly, "Fly on."

Frank dove toward the building and landed softly on the ground, allowing Hazel to slide off before changing back to human form. Hazel stared at the entrance of the building, the doors had been blown off during the destruction Manhattan had endured at Gaea's hand and inside laid only darkness except for small rays of light that checkered the ground below.

"If we go down there we are stepping right into Gaea's hands." Hazel breathed, staring at the crater of the sunken earth. "The only reason she can't get us now is because of the blanket of concrete and asphalt."

"Yeah, but look." Frank point to the center of sinkhole where a jet of light revealed a kneeling figure.

"Is that--?"

"We have to go get him." Frank looked around for a way down. "Leo said he brought some adventuring rope . . ."

"I have some here." Hazel stripped off her backpack and placed it on the ground. She unhinged the rope hanging from the backpack and handed it to Frank. "Can't we just fly down there?"

"Whatever I could turn into to get down there wouldn't be strong enough to carry both of you out without destroying the whole building which would make it come down on top of us. I might be fine but you two wouldn't be. We need another way out." He replied as he secured the adventuring rope to a metal rod that had once been part of the skeleton holding up the building. "Alright, this should hold. Let's go."

They carefully climbed down the rope, landing softly on the ground below them, the drop was easily ten stories which means if they got into trouble down here it would be difficult getting out. Hazel stared up at the entrance, "The ground had looked so close from there." She whispered.

Frank took a deep breath to try and relax, being this close to the earth put both of them on edge. The two turned toward the kneeling figure in the center of the crater, Hazel started walking slowly toward the figure followed by Frank who had his bow drawn and an arrow notched.

"Percy?" She called softly.

"Careful." Frank breathed as the figure stirred, lifting its head ever so slightly to be able to see them.

As they drew closer they were able to hear soft whimpering, it sounded so miserable and heart-wrenching it brought Hazel to tears but she still didn't let her guard down. It was Percy, she saw his emerald eyes through his raven hair that hung in his face. He watched her every movement and despite his sorrows, almost hungrily. He was shaking, from rage or misery Hazel did not know but it was as though he longed to revenge both her and Frank. He was choking back his anger, struggling to keep it under control, he whispered under his breath words neither of them could catch.

"Percy," Hazel said wearily. "Percy, come back with us to Olympus, we can help you."

Percy shook uncontrollably, "I-I told her. . ." He recoiled, closing his eyes tight as tears streamed down his face, he took a shuttered breath. "I told her we were staying t-together. That she wasn't. . .wasn't going to get away from me. Never again. I-I didn't keep that promise."

As he spoke more tears came into Hazel's eyes, "Percy, P-Percy we know. We know, we can help you. Please come with us."

"I'm sorry, I'm so, so sorry."

"Percy, s-she would have forgiven you."

"No, Hazel, I mean I'm sorry." Percy voice changed, he stood, still grief-worn. His rags for clothes fell off his body revealing Greek armor and a long black cape fashioned much like a Roman general would wear.

"Percy . . . ?"

A mound of dirt started to build up behind him in the darkness, the form of a woman formed from the earth. She walked up behind Percy and placed her hands on his shoulders mothering, Gaea grinned at Frank and Hazel, I think my pawn wants to say with me thank you.

"No," Hazel croaked. "No, Percy you can't. Why would you--?"

"Because the gods took her away from me." He snarled. "It's all their fault! If Athena hadn't been so stupid she would have never forced the Mark of Athena on Annabeth! AND WE NEVER WOULD HAVE ENDED UP IN TARTARUS AND SHE WOULD NEVER HAVE DIED!"

"No, Percy you don't really believe that! You can't really believe that!" She pleaded as she felt Frank come up beside her, his bow drawn.

"Hazel, run." Frank whispered.

"Frank--."

"Hazel, run, I'll hold them off." He said, never taking his eyes off of Percy. "Go warn Thalia and the others."

Aw, Gaea cooed. You think you can hold us off, that's adorable.

"Hazel run, now."

Hazel stared at Percy for a moment before slowly backing away then breaking into a run toward the adventuring rope. Percy started to go after her but Frank shot an arrow that landed just in front of his feet before notching another arrow. The son of Poseidon turned toward him, Frank took a deep breath, "Percy, don't make me do this."

Percy grinned, "You're gonna have to shoot me."

He took off after Hazel as Frank released the arrow. There was a loud CLANG! as the arrow hit Percy's armor though Frank could have sworn he had aimed for the kink between his breastplate and shoulder guard. Frank growled and put away his bow and started charging after Percy, changing into a bear in midstride. Hazel made it to the rope and started to quickly haul her body up a couple inches at a time just as Percy reached her. He grabbed the back of her shirt and jerked her off the rope, she landed with a dull THUD.

Percy drew Riptide out of his pocket just as Frank was upon him. Letting out a roar, Frank plowed between Percy and Hazel as his massive bear claws thrashed and swiped at the son of Poseidon's eyes. Hazel groaned and struggled to her feet as she tried once again to climb the rope.

We can't have that, can we, Gaea chuckled, Perseus, my prince. I think it's time to get rid of that rope.

Percy smirked and dove under Frank's outstretched arm as he had tried to strike Percy once again. He dove for Frank's bow and quiver, Percy drew away from the two as he notched an arrow to widen his range. The arrow was released. Time slowed down for Frank and Hazel, they both knew Percy was a horrible shot but this time the arrow hit the rope dead on. The barbed blade sliced through the rope like butter and down went Hazel and the separated twine. Out of all the times Percy could have actually hit his target without failing, it had to be the time he joined their worst enemy.

A smirk plastered itself upon the son of Poseidon's face, pure joy surged through his body as he watched Hazel and the brown snake-like rope rain to the ground. He took the bow and the remaining arrows in the quiver and snapped them in half, "We wouldn't further use of this bow again, now would we?"

Hazel picked herself off the floor once again, dusting herself off. Luckily she hadn't made it too far up the rope when it was cut. Frank changed back into his human form, they were trapped, that rope had been their only way out of the sinkhole. He turned, "Percy, come on."

"Percy this isn't you," Hazel pleaded. "Please just come back, you know she is tricking you, she--"

Gaea glared at her, I am saving him, child. When you and the Olympians left him to die in these ruins I came and took him under my wing. Of course I had to make a few . . . tweaks.

Percy smirked at the pair of them, as Gaea laughed and created an earthen staircase leading up to the exit of the sinkhole, she smiled at them, Run, fools, run. He always likes a chase.

"My Queen?" Percy frowned.

I have changed my mind, my prince. I think it is time to show the Olympians the grave mistake they have made, She replied as she watched Frank and Hazel scale the staircase.

As Frank reached the top of the staircase he changed into the eagle once again. Hazel hopped on his back at once and they took off. She quickly grabbed the radio from her belt, sobbing. They had been too deep under the ground for it to work before, but finally they were somewhat safe for the time being. Hazel shakily pressed the button to speak when Thalia's voice came through the speaker, "HAZEL!"

"I-I'm here!" She croaked.

"Finally! We have been trying to get in touch with you for forever! . . . What's wrong?"

"Thalia, w-we have to leave, we have to get back to Olympus as fast as we can."

"Hazel, what happened?"

Hazel sobbed into the radio, she tried to talk as clearly as she could, "We have to go."

"Hazel can you please tell me what is going on?"

"I--"

Before she could finish the building that contained the sinkhole began to tremble, opening its top like a mouth and burst forth what looked like a rocket unto the sky. The shock wave as the building collapsed created a roar and almost knocked Frank out of the air.

"What was that?" Thalia shouted unto the radio, no doubt they had felt and heard the shock wave as well.

The rocket hovered in the air, directly inline with them, on it's sides looked like massive black wings flapping to keep it steady. Hazel realized immediately that it was a pegasus, Frank managed to get a glimpse of the figure, "Is that Blackjack?"

"Uh . . ." Hazel starred blankly as the figure started surging toward them.

Thalia's voice came through the radio once again, "Is what Blackjack? What is going on?"

"Hazel, hang on!" Frank shouted, going into a sharp dive. "I'm going to try and loose them!"

The figure followed them closely as they weaved in between the skyscrapers. Hazel managed to get a good look at them, whoever the pegasus was they were black and decked out in silver horse armor and it had a rider. No doubt the rider was Percy for Anaklusmos was in his hand, but he wore a helm that completely obscured his face though his emerald eyes shone brightly from within the darkness. Like the horse his armor was silver except for the finely woven black cape that flowed silkily behind him.

"Frank! They are really close!" Knowing if she saw that much detail they were too close for comfort.

"How?" Frank growled and dived once again before taking a sharp turn around a still standing skyscraper.

"WHO IS TOO CLOSE?" Thalia screamed into the radio. "CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TELL US WHAT IS GOING ON?"

"Hold on a moment!" Hazel snapped and put the radio back onto her belt. She took a deep breath, "Frank, do you think you can loose them?"

"Maybe...?" Frank wove through the buildings and doubled back in hopes of confusing their pursuer.

"Well that gives me great comfort."

"I'm trying okay? Here, let's hide there." Frank folded his wings, squeezing into a broken window of a tall building and landing gently in the back of the room. "He shouldn't be able to see us."

Hazel slid of his back as he transformed back into his human self. "Let's not underestimate him."

The two crouched careful not to touch any of the debris that might cause the slightest disturbance. For minutes they held the silence, listening carefully for anything that much give away the whereabouts of Percy.

"He's going to find us...isn't he." Hazel whispered.

"Not yet." Frank growled.