Evangeline could see the white flag from half a mile away. It was as big as a soccer field, carried by a thirty-foot-tall giant with bright blue skin and icy gray hair.

"A Hyperborean," Evangeline noted.

Thalia nodded. "The giants of the north. It's a bad sign that they sided with Kronos. They're usually peaceful."

"You've met them?" Percy asked.

"Mmm. There's a big colony in Alberta. You do not want to get into a snowball fight with those guys."

As the giant got closer, she could see three human-size envoys with him: a half-blood in armor, an empousa demon with a black dress and flaming hair, and a tall man in a tuxedo. The empousa held the man in the tux's arm, so they looked like a couple on their way to a Broadway show or something—except for her flaming hair and fangs.

The group walked leisurely toward the Heckscher Playground. The swings and ball courts were empty. The only sound was the fountain on Umpire Rock.

Percy looked at Grover. "The tux dude is a Titan?"

He nodded nervously. "He looks like a magician. I hate magicians. They usually have rabbits."

The brunette stared at him. "You're scared of bunnies?"

"Blah-hah-hah! They're big bullies. Always stealing celery from defenseless satyrs!"

Thalia coughed.

"What?" Grover demanded.

"We'll work on your bunny phobia later," Evangeline said. "They're here."

The man in the tux stepped forward. He was taller than an average human—about seven feet. His black hair was tied in a ponytail. Dark round glasses covered his eyes, but what really caught her attention was the skin on his face. It was covered in scratches and then she recognized the Titan: Prometheus.

"Percy Jackson, Evangeline Merlyn," he said in a silky voice. "It's a great honor."

The empousa hissed at the duo. "My dear," The Titan said to her. "Why don't you make yourself comfortable over there, eh?"

She released his arm and drifted over to a park bench.

Evangeline felt a shiver run down her spine as she felt like she was being stared at. The brunette glanced at the armed demigod behind the Titan and glared.

She hadn't recognized him in his new helmet, but it was her old shoulder-stabbing, first kiss, and enemy Ethan Nakamura. His nose looked like a squashed tomato from what she guessed was when Percy slammed his sword into him on the Williamsburg Bridge.

Seeing Ethan like that made Percy feel better. So much better. The son of Poseidon's hand instinctively found Evangeline's, interlocking his fingers with hers.

"Hobbit," Evangeline called. "Rudolf the red-nose reindeer called, he said he's suing you for identity theft."

The son of Nemesis scowled. "You're still alive?"

"You sound disappointed," she noted.

"I am." He grumbled.

"To business." The Titan interrupted and extended his hand. "I am Prometheus."

Percy looked almost too surprised to shake his hand. "The fire-stealer guy? The chained to the rock with the vultures guy?"

Prometheus winced. He touched the scratches on his face. "Please, don't mention the vultures. But yes, I stole fire from the gods and gave it to your ancestors. In return, the ever-merciful Zeus had me chained to a rock and tortured for all eternity."

"But—"

"How did I get free? Hercules did that, eons ago. So you see, I have a soft spot for heroes. Some of you can be quite civilized."

"Unlike the company you keep," The son of Poseidon noticed.

"Oh, demons aren't so bad," Prometheus said. "You just have to keep them well fed. Now, Percy Jackson, let us parley."

He waved them toward a picnic table and they sat down. Thalia and Grover stood behind the two children of Hades and Poseidon.

The blue giant propped his white flag against a tree and began absently playing on the playground. He stepped on the monkey bars and crushed them, but he didn't seem angry. He just frowned and said, "Uh oh." Then he stepped into the fountain and broke the concrete bowl in half. "Uh-oh." The water froze where his foot touched it.

A bunch of stuffed animals hung from his belt—the huge kind you get for a grand prize in an arcade. He reminded the brunette of Tyson, and the idea of fighting him made her sad.

Prometheus sat forward and laced his fingers. He looked earnest, kindly, and wise. "Percy, your position is weak. You know you can't stop another assault."

"We'll see."

Prometheus looked pained like he really cared about what happened to them. "Percy, I'm the Titan of forethought. I know what's going to happen."

"Also the Titan of craft counsel," Grover added. "Emphasis on crafty."

Prometheus shrugged. "True enough, satyr. But I supported the gods in the last war. I told Kronos: 'You don't have the strength. You'll lose.' And I was right. So you see, I know how to pick the winning side. This time, I'm backing Kronos."

"Because Zeus chained you to a rock," Percy guessed.

"Partly, yes. I won't deny I want revenge. But that's not the only reason I'm supporting Kronos. It's the wisest choice. I'm here because I thought you might listen to reason."

He drew a map on the table with his finger. Wherever he touched, golden lines appeared, glowing on the concrete. "This is Manhattan. We have armies here, here, here, and here. We know your numbers. We outnumber you twenty to one."

"Your spy has been keeping you posted," Evangeline spoke coldly.

Prometheus smiled apologetically. "At any rate, our forces are growing daily. Tonight, Kronos will attack. You will be overwhelmed. You've fought bravely, but there's just no way you can hold all of Manhattan. You'll be forced to retreat to the Empire State Building. There you'll be destroyed. I have this. It will happen."

She remembered the words of the Oracle in her dream: I foresee the future. I cannot change it. Prometheus spoke with such certainty it was hard not to believe him.

"I won't let it happen," Percy said.

Prometheus brushed a speck off his tux lapel. "Understand, Percy. You are refighting the Trojan War here. Patterns repeat themselves in history. They reappear just as monsters do. A great siege. Two armies. The only difference is, this time you are defending. You are Troy. And you know what happened to the Trojans, don't you?"

"So you're going to cram a wooden horse into the elevator of the Empire State Building?" Percy asked. "Good luck."

The Titan smiled. "Troy was completely destroyed, Percy. You don't want that to happen here. Stand down, and New York will be spared. Your forces will be granted amnesty. I will personally assure your safety. Let Kronos take Olympus. Who cares? Typhon will destroy the gods, my way."

"Right," Evangeline dragged the word. "And we're supposed to believe Kronos would spare the city."

"All he wants is Olympus," Prometheus promised. "The might of the gods is tied to their seats of power. Percy, you saw what happened to Poseidon once his undersea palace was attacked."

Percy winced, Evangeline had no idea what he was talking about.

"Yes," Prometheus said sadly. "I know that was hard for you. When Kronos destroys Olympus, the gods will fade. They will become so weak they will easily be defeated. Kronos would rather do this while Typhon has the Olympians distracted in the west. Much easier. Fewer lives were lost. But make no mistake, the best you can do is slow us down. The day after tomorrow, Typhon arrives in New York, and you will have no chance at all. The gods and Mount Olympus will still be destroyed, but it will be much messier. Much, much worse for you and your city. Either way, the Titans will rule."

Thalia pounded her fist on the table. "I serve Artemis. The Hunters will fight to our last breath. Percy, you're not seriously going to listen to this slimeball, are you?"

Instead of getting mad at her, the Titan just smiled. "Your courage does you credit, Thalia Grace."

The daughter of Zeus stiffened. "That's my mother's surname. I don't use it."

"As you wish," Prometheus said casually but Evangeline could tell he'd gotten under her skin.

"At any rate," The Titan said, "you need not be my enemy. I have always been a helper of mankind."

"That's a load of shit," Thalia said. "When mankind first sacrificed to the gods, you tricked them into giving you the best portion. You gave us fire to annoy the gods, not because you cared about us."

Prometheus shook his head. "You don't understand. I helped shape your nature."

A wiggling lump of clay appeared in his hands. He fashioned it into a little doll with legs and arms. The lump doll didn't have any eyes, but it groped around the table, stumbling over the Titan's fingers.

"I have been whispering in man's ear since the beginning of your existence. I represent your curiosity, your sense of exploration, you're inventiveness. Help me save you, Percy. Do this, and I will give mankind a new gift—a new revelation that will move you as far forward as fire did. You can't make that kind of advance under the gods. They would never allow it. But this could be a new golden age for you. Or..." He made a fist and smashed the clay doll.

The blue giant rumbled, "Uh-oh." Over at the park bench, the empousa bared her fangs in a smile.

"Percy, you know the Titans and their offsprings are not all and," Prometheus said. "You've met Calypso."

Evangeline frowned. "That's different," Percy said, his ears turning red.

"How? Much like me, she did nothing wrong, and yet she was exiled forever simply because she was Atlas's daughter. We are not your enemies. Don't let the worst happen," he pleaded. "We offer you peace."

Percy looked at Ethan. "You must hate this."

"I don't know what you mean."

"If we took this deal, you wouldn't get revenge. You wouldn't get to kill us all. Isn't that what you want?"

His good eye flared. "All I want is respect Jackson. The gods never gave me that. You wanted me to go to your stupid camp, spend my time crammed into the Hermes Cabin because I'm not important? Not even recognized?"

"You're mom's the goddess of revenge," He told Ethan. "We should respect that?"

"Nemesis stands for balance! When people have too much good luck, she tears them down."

"That's why she took your eye?" Evangeline asked.

"It was payment," he told her. "In exchange, she swore to me that one day I would tip the balance of power. I would bring the minor gods respect. An eye was a small price to pay."

"Great mom," Percy said.

"At least she keeps her word, unlike the Olympians. She always pays her debts—good or evil."

"Yeah," The son of Poseidon said. "So we saved your life, and you repaid us by raising Kronos. That's fair."

Ethan grabbed the hilt of his sword, but Prometheus stopped him.

"Now, now," The Titan said. "We're on a diplomatic mission."

He studied Percy as if he was trying to understand his anger. Then he nodded like he'd just picked a thought from his brain.

"It bothers you what happened to Luke," he decided. "Hestia didn't show you the full story. Perhaps if you understood..."

The Titan reached out.

Thalia cried a warning, but before anyone could react, Prometheus's index finger touched Percy's forehead.

The son of Poseidon froze, and they all stood there as they watched Percy go into a daze.

A little later Prometheus removed his index finger from Percy's forehead and the raven-haired boy snapped out of his daze, he was clammy with sweat.

"Percy?" Evangeline asked. "What was that?"

Prometheus nodded at the son of Poseidon sympathetically. "Appaling, isn't it? The gods know what is to come, and yet they do nothing, even for their children. How long did it take for them to tell you your prophecy, Percy Jackson? Don't you think your father knows what will happen to you?"

The brunette's eyes narrowed at the Titan.

"Perrrrcy," Grover warned, "He's playing with your mind. Trying to make you angry."

"Do you really blame your friend Luke?" The Titan asked him. "And what about you, Percy? Will you be controlled by your fate? Kronos offers you and Evangeline a much better deal."

Evangeline clenched her jaw. "I'll give you a deal. Tell grandpa dearest to call off his attack, and return to the pits of Tartarus, I don't really care about what happens to Luke, if he dies, he dies. Then maybe we won't have to destroy the old man."

The empousa snarled. Her hair erupted in fresh flames, but Prometheus just sighed.

"If you change your mind," he said, "I have a gift for you."

A Greek vase appeared on the table. It was about three feet high and a foot wide, glazed with black-and-white geometric designs. The ceramic lid was fastened with a leather harness. Evangeline faltered as she recognized the box to be Pandora's pithos.

Grover whimpered when he saw it.

Thalia gasped. "That's not—"

Yes," Prometheus said. "You recognize it."

Looking at the jar, Evangeline felt a sense of fear taking over her.

"This belonged to my sister-in-law," Prometheus explained. "Pandora."

"As in Pandora's box?" Percy asked nervously.

The Titan shook his head. "I don't know how this box business got started. It was never a box. It was a pithos, a storage jar. I suppose Pandora's pithos doesn't have the same ring to it, but never mind that. Yes, she did open this jar, which contained most of the demons that now haunt mankind—fear, death, hunger, sickness."

"Don't forget me," The empousa purred.

"Indeed," Prometheus conceded. "The first empousa was also trapped in this jar, released by Pandora. But what I find curious about the story—Pandora always gets the blame. She is punished for being curious. The gods would have you believe that this is the lesson: mankind should not explore. They should not ask questions." He continued.

"They should do what they are told. In truth, this jar was a trap designed by Zeus and the other gods. It was revenge on me and my entire family—my poor simple brother Epimetheus and wife Pandora. The gods knew she would open the jar. They were willing to punish the entire race of humanity along with us."

Evangeline stared at the jar as she thought about the dream of her father and Maria, she thought about her mother and how Zeus had destroyed her house and an entire hotel to eliminate three demigod children—just to save his own skin. But her father was no better, he cursed the Oracle to get to Zeus, dooming the young girl to a horrible fate.

Maybe Prometheus was right? She wondered. Maybe the gods weren't any better than the titans?

Prometheus tapped the lid of Pandora's jar. "Only one spirit remained inside when Pandora opened it."

"Hope," The brunette muttered, snapping out of her thoughts.

The Titan looked pleased. "Very good, daughter of Hades." He said. "Elpis, the Spirit of Hope, would not abandon humanity. Hope does not leave without being given permission. She can only be released by a child of man."

The Titan slid the jar across the table.

"I give you this as a reminder of what the gods are like," he said. "Keep Elpis, if you wish. But if you decide that you have seen enough destruction, enough futile suffering, then open the jar. Let Elpis go. Give up Hope, and I will know that you are surrendering. I promise Kronos will be lenient. He will spare the survivors."

Evangeline stared at the jar and she didn't like the feeling that came over her. She was tempted to open the jar. Maybe the prophecy came down to them keeping the jar closed or opening it.

"I don't want the thing," Percy growled.

"Too late," Prometheus said. "The gift is given. It cannot be taken back."

He stood. The empousa came forward and slipped her arm through his.

"Morrain!" Prometheus called to the blue giant. "We are leaving. Get your flag."

"Uh-oh," The giant said.

"We will see you both soon," Prometheus promised. "One way or another."

Ethan gave the daughter of Hades one last glance. Then they turned and strolled up the lane through Central Park like it was just a regular Sunday afternoon.

The brunette wasn't sure when she fell asleep again but she did know she was dreaming. Because she saw Ethan at the enemy camp, she saw how big the army was, she also recognized the place.

They were in the backwoods of New Jersey, on a crumbling road lined with run-down businesses and tattered billboard signs. A trampled fence ringed a big yard full of cement statues. The sign above the warehouse was hard to read because it was in red cursive, but she knew exactly what it said: AUNTY EM'S GARDEN GNOME EMPORIUM.

The place was abandoned probably because they had murdered the owner when they were twelve and shipped her head away. Now that she looked back upon it, Evangeline wasn't surprised by the amount of horrible crimes they had committed while on quests.

The statues in the warehouse were broken and spray-painted with graffiti. Grover's late Uncle Ferdinand—had lost his stone arm. Part of the warehouse roof had caved in. A big yellow sign was pasted on the door that read: CONDEMNED.

Hundreds of tents and fire surrounded the property. She mostly saw monsters, but there were some human mercenaries in combat fatigues and demigods in armor, too. Her grandfather's banner hung outside the emporium, guarded by two huge Hyperboreans.

Ethan was crouched at the nearest campfire. A couple of demigods sat with him, sharpening their swords. The doors of the warehouse opened, and Prometheus stepped out.

"Nakamura," He called. "The master would like to speak with you."

The son of Nemesis stood warily. "Something wrong?"

Prometheus smiled. "You'll have to ask him."

One of the other demigods snickered. "Nice knowing you."

Ethan readjusted his sword belt and headed into the warehouse.

Everything still looked the same as the last time she had seen the place, statues of people in midscream. In the snack bar area, the picnic had been moved aside. Right between the soda dispenser and pretzel warmer stood a golden throne. Kronos lounged on it, his scythe across his lap. He wore jeans and a T-shirt, and with his brooding expression, he almost looked human—like the younger version of Luke.

Then he saw Ethan, and his face changed into a very inhuman smile. His golden eyes glowed, and how Evangeline wished she could rip them out.

"Well, Nakamura. What did you think of the diplomatic mission?"

Ethan hesitated. "I'm sure Lord Prometheus is better suited to speak—"

"But I asked you."

The Nakamura boy's good eye darted back and forth, noting the guards that stood around Kronos. "I...I don't think Jackson will surrender. Ever."

The Titan of Time nodded. "Anything else you wanted to tell me?"

"N-no, sir."

"You look nervous, Ethan."

"No, sir. It's just...I heard this was the lair of—"

"Medusa? Yes, quite true. Loverly place, eh? Unfortunately, Medusa hasn't re-formed since Jackson killed her, so you needn't worry about joining her collection. Besides, there are much more dangerous forces in this room."

Kronos looked over at a Laistrygonian giant who was eating some french fries. Kronos waved his hand and the giant froze. A french fry hung suspended in midair halfway between his hand and his mouth.

"Why turn them to stone," Kronos asked, "when you can freeze time itself?"

His golden eyes bore into Ethan's face. "Now, tell me one more thing. What happened last night on the Williamsburg Bridge?"

Ethan trembled. Beads of sweat were popping up on his forehead. "I...I don't know, sir."

"Yes. you do." Kronos rose from his seat. "When you attacked Jackson, something happened, something was not quite right. The daughter of Hades, your old "friend" correct? She jumped in your way."

"She wanted to save him."

"But he is invulnerable," Kronos said quietly. "You saw that yourself."

"I can't explain it. Maybe Eve forgot."

"She forgot," Kronos said. "Yes, that must've been it. Oh dear, I forgot my friend is invulnerable and took a knife for him. Oopsie. Tell me, Ethan, where were you aiming when you stabbed at Jackson?"

The son of Nemesis frowned. He clasped his hand as if he were holding a blade, and mimed a thrust. "I'm not sure, sir. It all happened so fast. I wasn't aiming for any spot in particular."

The blond demon grandpa's fingers tapped the blade of his scythe. "I see," he said in a chilly tone. "If your memory improves, I will expect—"

Suddenly the Titan lord winced. The giant in the corner unfroze and the french fry fell into his mouth. Kronos stumbled backward and sank into his throne.

"My lord?" Ethan started forward.

"I—" The voice was weak, but just for a moment it was Luke's. Then Kronos' expression hardened. He raised his hand and flexed his fingers slowly as if forcing them to obey. "It is nothing," he said, his voice steely and cold again. "A minor discomfort."

The Nakamura boy chewed on his bottom lip. "He's still fighting you, isn't he? Luke—"

"Nonsense," Kronos spat. "Repeat that lie, and I will cut out your tongue. The boy's soul has been crushed. I am simply adjusting to the limits of this form. It requires rest. It is annoying, but no more than a temporary inconvenience."

"As...as you say, my lord."

"You!" Kronos pointed his scythe at a dracanae with green armor and a green crown. "Queen Sess, is it?"

"Yesssss, my lord."

"Is our little surprise ready to be unleashed?"

The dracaena queen bared her fangs. "Oh, yessss, my lord. Quite a lovely sssssurprissse."

"Excellent," he said. "Tell my brother Hyperion to move our main force south into Central Park. The half-bloods will be in such disarray they will not be able to defend themselves. Go now, Ethan. Work on improving your memory. We will talk again when we have taken Manhattan."

Ethan bowed, and her dream shifted one last time. She saw the Big House at camp, but it was a different era. The house was painted red instead of blue. The campers down at the volleyball pit had big and weird hairstyles.

Chiron stood by the porch, talking to Hermes and a woman holding a baby. The centaur's hair was shorter and darker. Hermes wore his usual jogging suit with his winged high-tops. The woman was tall and pretty. She had blonde hair, shining eyes, and a friendly smile. The baby in her arms squirmed in his blue blanket like Camp was the last place he wanted to be.

"It's an honor to have you here," Chiron told the woman, although he sounded nervous. "It's been a long time since a mortal was allowed at camp."

The brunette watched in shock as she recognised May Castellan standing there full of life.

"Don't encourage her," Hermes grumbled. "May, you can't do this."

"Oh, don't worry so much," May said, rocking the baby. "You need an Oracle, don't you? The old one's been read for, what, twenty years?"

"Longer," Chiron said gravely.

Hermes raised his arms in exasperation. "I didn't tell you that story so you could apply. It's dangerous. Chiron, tell her."

"It is," The centaur warned. "For many years, I have forbidden anyone from trying. We don't know exactly what's happened. Humanity seems to have lost the ability to host the Oracle."

"We've been through that," May said. "And I know I can do it. Hermes, this is my chance to do something good. I've been given the gift of sight for a reason."

Evangeline wanted to yell at the woman and tell her that the plan was not going to work. But she couldn't move or speak.

The god looked more hurt than worried. "You couldn't marry if became the Oracle," he complained. "You couldn't see me anymore."

May put her hand on his arm. "I can't have you forever, can I? You'll move on soon. You're immortal."

He started to protest, but she put her hand on his chest. "You know it's true! Don't try to spare my feelings. Besides, we have a wonderful child. I can still raise Luke if I'm the Oracle, right?"

Chiron coughed. "Yes, but in all fairness, I don't know how that will affect the spirit of the Oracle. A woman who has already borne a child—as far as I know, this has never been done before. If the spirit does not take—"

"It will," May insisted.

No, Evangeline wanted to say. It won't

The woman kissed her baby and handed the bundle to Hermes. "I'll be right back."

She gave them one last confident smile and climbed the steps.

Chiron and Hermes paced in silence. The baby squirmed.

A green glow lit the windows of the house. The campers stopped playing volleyball and stared up at the attic. A cold wind rushed through the strawberry fields.

Hermes must've felt it too. He cried, "No! NO!"

He shoved the baby into Chiron's arms and ran for the porch. Before he reached the door, the sunny afternoon was shattered by May Castellan's terrified scream.

Evangeline woke up so quickly that she knocked a sleeping Percy out of the space next to her and onto the floor.

The son of Poseidon hit the ground with a thud and a noise of pain. "Ow!"

"Sorry," She apologized as she reached out to help him up with her good arm.

"S'okay," He rubbed his head as he stood up. "You had that dream too?"

"Yeah," she said.

Before he could say anything, Annabeth and Landon soon entered the room, dressed in armor. "We were just about to wake you two up." The Martin boy placed his hands on his hips.

"Percy?" Evangeline asked as she noticed the raven-haired boy stare at the ground. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," He said. "You should go back to sleep, you should be resting."

"No." She scowled. Outside, she could see the sky was purple and red.

"I just looked in my shield," Annabeth spoke up. "There's an army—"

"Heading to Central Park," The children of the Big Three spoke at the same time.

Evangeline and Percy told them about their joint dream. They made sure to leave out the vision of May Castellan, and they left out Ethan's speculation about Luke fighting Kronos inside his body. Evangeline didn't want to get the blonde's hopes up and Percy shared the same thought.

"Do you think Ethan suspects about your weak spot?" Annabeth asked.

"I don't know," Percy admitted. "He didn't tell Kronos anything, but if he figures it out—"

"We can't let him," Evangeline said.

"I'll hit him in the head harder next time," Percy suggested. "Any idea what surprise Kronos was talking about?"

Landon shook his head. "We didn't see anything in the shield, and I usually love surprises but right now I'm not a fan."

"I hate surprises," Annabeth admitted. Landon couldn't help but look at her with pure shock.

"I'm coming along." The brunette said.

Percy turned to her. "You can't seriously go and fight."

She narrowed her eyes. "Watch me."

"Evangeline, you can't go—" Landon started.

"What are you gonna do stab me?" She tilted her head, raising a brow. "I'm going."

The children of Hermes, Athena, and Poseidon went quiet. "That's what thought." She spoke with a pleased look.

------✧------

A/N:  Here's a meme cause Luke slander. (Sorry Luke fans.)

Again boring chapter, but the next chapter won't be boring since they start fighting again.

I also made up my mind about the whole doing HoO thing and if you haven't seen my message board, I will be doing Heroes of Olympus.