I've had this idea in my head for a very long time, and it was only the publication of a similar story that caused me to actually write it. I'll refrain from commenting on the quality of the story to which I refer, Shattered, by Josh the Pleb, but I will say that while similar, it is not the same story. Not even remotely.

This is slightly AU, as you'll see in the very beginning.

Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians. Any verbatim phrasing is used entirely for effect, and otherwise was carefully avoided, using the source material as a guideline.

Without further adieu, Chapter One!

Percy lay in the throne room, with Luke-turned-Kronos standing over him. His friends were dead. Riptide was in the fire. The gods were nearly dead, too, with their thrones destroyed.

And Percy was about to join them.

He heard the horrible laugh of the Titan Lord echoing throughout the room.

"You put up a good fight, pitiful demigod," Kronos said, with a terrifying smile.

Percy braced himself for death.

"As a reward, I'll kill you quickly. Begone!"

Percy steeled himself with all his might, summoning all his power in what he knew was a vain attempt to repel his enemy's blade, and shut his eyes in anticipation.

But the scythe never met his weak spot.

He kept his eyes shut, still bracing for the impact of the scythe.

That was when he felt an overwhelming blast of energy strike his head, which he tried desperately to counter, but failed. He was dead.

Or so he thought.

The pain never left his head, but he wasn't... Actually, he wasn't really sure what was supposed to happen when you died. Maybe this was it?

He opened his eyes cautiously.

He was no longer in the throne room. There was no Kronos. His dead friends weren't here either.

This room was small and warm. Actually, it was this bed that was warm. And these sheets. Huh? Just where on Earth was he?

He looked around, and blinked his eyes repeatedly.

He was in a small dark room, and finally, he realized where he was.

He was at his dorm room. His dorm room in Yancy Academy.

His head was swimming. This wasn't. This couldn't be. There was no way... this had all been a dream? Was there?

He didn't understand what was happening. Throwing off the covers, he looked down at his body. He was, in fact, 12 years old again.

He didn't know what was happening. He leapt out of bed, threw open his door, and ran down the hall. He had to remember where the nearest water fountain was, but when he did, he ran straight for it. He needed to make everything hadn't been one long dream.

He quickly made his way to the water fountain. His fingers trembling, he feverishly pressed down the button, releasing the water.

And he was able to control it, as if nothing had happened. He even noted it was easy to do. He had as much control as before.

He slunk down, panting heavily.

"So it wasn't a dream. Haha, how could it have been? No dream lasts four years. Gods, I really am a Seaweed Brain."

He remembered Annabeth, and his heart sank. He remembered what had happened in the throne room.

"Luke, please! I've never stopped loving you! Please, come to your senses!" Annabeth screamed.

Kronos's cold voice responded, "Luke is dead, stupid halfblood. There is only me."

But Annabeth refused to believe it. "Luke, I know you're in there! I love you! Please, just, come back!"

Percy's heart broke. Somewhere, deep inside, he'd always known. She'd only ever loved him like a brother. She was confessing to Luke.

Suddenly, the Titan lord's scythe flashed and Annabeth's head dropped to the floor. Kronos said, evilly, "I told you. Luke is dead."

Percy felt the tears start to fall down his cheeks. He needed to get back to his room. If he let it all out here in the hallway, everyone'd hear. He didn't want to get embarrassed, and have to explain himself.

He ran back to his dorm room, closed the door, and threw himself onto his bed.

Why? Why did love have to hurt this much? Why did he get sent back in time, if he didn't get to be with Annabeth? It wasn't fair! But really, why did he get sent back in time at all? Was it the fates? No, they weren't that kind to him. If it was time travel, then... did Kronos accidentally send his consciousness back in time? Was it something Percy did? Percy decided he'd figure these things out after he finished sobbing.

And sob he did, albeit silently. It was amazing he hadn't woken Grover up. He had only just remembered that Grover shared a room with him. For hours, he cried. Even though he had gotten this second chance at everything, he still cried. The pain wasn't erased. And Annabeth's confession still stung fresh in his mind.

After he had stopped sobbing, though tears still fell, he decided. Things would be different this time. This time, he would win. He'd find some way to expose Luke. No, to help Luke. Luke had been killed. It was Kronos who killed his friends. He needed to tell Luke about how much Hermes cared about him, somehow. Or maybe, somehow, he'd get stronger than Luke. He had four years, after all. Whatever he decided to do, he needed to find out when exactly he was.

But he was so tired. He decided that, before anything, he really needed to sleep.

When Percy woke up, his head still ached, though not nearly as bad. He wondered if he still had the curse of Achilles, but that could wait. He glanced at his alarm clock, but the date didn't particularly mean anything to him. He scampered around his room, looking for anything to tell him what exactly he was supposed to do in this stupid school. When was class, what were his classes? He didn't remember any of it.

Finally he found what he was looking for. The information sheet for the field trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The day things had taken a turn for the worse. The day that was... today!?

He jumped up and threw on his clothes.

"Hey, Grover, what's up?" Percy asked Grover, who was already awake.

"Nothing much, man. You ready for the field trip?"

"Uh, yeah, dude," Percy said, as he tried to remember anything about his life at this time. "I'm pretty excited for this one. Don't you love C-Mr. Brunner?"

Percy was terrified he had already been exposed, but Grover didn't seem to notice.

"Yeah, he's really cool," said Grover.

Percy followed Grover around until they finally got on the bus for the field trip. Percy remembered Nancy Bobofit. He wondered what he'd do differently this time. If he never antagonized her, how would Mrs. Dodds get him alone? Would she actually try this time?

The bus started moving at the same time Nancy started to tear off a piece of her disgusting peanut butter and ketchup sandwich. Percy knew he wasn't going to put up with her this time. He wasn't going to fight her, but he could still protect Grover.

A chunk of sandwich flew threw the air. Percy's hand shot out and caught it. He was glad his reflexes were still strong, even if it felt very odd being so short and weak.

Nancy looked annoyed. She tore off a slightly bigger piece and threw it.

Percy caught that one too.

And the next one.

And the next one.

Eventually, Percy had the entire sandwich in his hands.

And Nancy looked absolutely pissed.

She started getting up, and looked about ready to start fighting, but the bus stopped and everyone started getting off.

"Um, thanks a lot Percy. Sorry you have to protect me all the time." This time, Percy knew what he meant. Grover was supposed to protect Percy, but Percy had spent most of this year protecting Grover. Percy decided he'd try to make him feel better.

"It's alright, Grover. You'd do the same for me." Percy saw that Grover did, indeed, look a little better.

Percy decided that he'd save everyone he could, and try to do everything he could to make people feel better. But he couldn't tell anyone. He had barely survived the gods' wrath originally. If they figured out he had some amount of special experience, they'd never believe what he said. This needed to remain a secret. It wasn't as though the gods could read minds or memories or something, right? At least, he'd never witnessed this. You'd think, if that were possible, no one would be able to turn traitor at Camp, because Dionysus was there. At least, this was Percy's hope.

They all shuffled off the bus, and into the museum, where Chiron led the tour. Percy knew Nancy and her friends weren't going to be quiet so he ignored them. It was interesting how much more patient he had become over the years.

Eventually the tour came to the stele with Kronos, and Chiron asked Percy what the pictures meant. Percy was determined to give the right answers- all the right answers- this time around. He was Percy 2.0.

"That's the Titan King Kronos-" Percy shivered as he said his name "-devouring his children, the gods, after learning of a prophecy that predicted his downfall at the hands of his children. But his wife, Rhea, hid his youngest son Zeus, and gave Kronos a rock to swallow instead. Some time later, Zeus infiltrated his father's palace as a servant, and tricked his father into drinking a poison that caused him to barf up his children, causing the war between the Titans and the gods, called the Titanomachy, which the gods eventually won. The gods killed their father, sliced him into bite sized pieces with his own scythe, and threw him into Tartarus."

There was a stunned silence. When had Percy started sounding so smart? Even Nancy Bobofit had nothing to say. Percy realized he had to dial way back on the knowledge. He was real suspicious, and he knew it.

"Er, yes, that is correct. On that happy note, I believe it is time for lunch. Everyone please follow Mrs. Dodds back outside," Chiron said, cautiously.

Just before Grover and Percy left, Chiron stopped them.

"Mr. Jackson."

Percy told Grover he'd catch up.

"Yeah, Mr. Brunner?"

Chiron stared Percy down straight in the eyes, sea green against intense brown. Percy was terrified Chiron knew, somehow.

"Do you have any idea why your studies are important in real life?"

Percy felt a flush of relief. Who'd expect this sort of time travel? He was relatively safe from being discovered, but considering how close he had gotten to being vaporized by the gods before, he needed to keep his power to a minimum. Save everyone he could, but don't let on that he had the skill of someone four years older. That was his plan.

"Er, because they teach us lessons about life?" Percy asked nervously.

"That is true," Chiron said slowly, "but your studies are vitally important. I'm pleased to see that you treat them as such. I will accept only the best, but you seem to be doing alright, even by those standards."

Pride filled Chiron's eyes, and Percy felt a genuine happiness. Chiron cared about all demigods. He was a father to him and... Annabeth.

Pain filled the young halfblood's eyes, and Chiron took notice.

"Percy, my boy, is something the matter?" Chiron asked, gently.

"N-no, Mr. Brunner, I just..." Percy tried to think up a lie, but realized he really didn't want to lie to the old horse. "I respect you a lot. Thank you."

If the centaur was taken aback by this, he didn't show it.

Mirth filled his ancient eyes as he told Percy to go outside and eat his lunch.

Percy wondered if Mrs. Dodds would still attack him today. He sighed as he walked towards Grover, who had already started eating. Today had been the day his life started to go from sort of okay to terrible. It was like some sick joke. His life was stolen from him, and the one bright spot had been Annabeth, but she had never loved him. Well, he didn't need love, anyways. He was going to train, and train hard. No one was going to die. Not when he had forehand knowledge of everything that was going to happen. It seemed the old saying was right. Knowledge is power.

Grover looked up at Percy, who had a sort of sick smile on his face. "What in the world did Mr. Brunner say to you?"

Percy was shocked out of his thoughts, responding with an intelligent, "Wha?"

"You had a creepy look on your face, dude. What were you thinking about?"

Percy had to think fast. Quick Percy, quuuiiick!

"Er, I was just thinking about what I'm gonna do to Nancy next time she messes with us," Percy blurted out. Great. What was he gonna say now? He had already planned just to ignore her. Not like it really mattered, right? Then it hit him. That's exactly what he'd tell Grover!

"But, you're already on probation! You, you can't-" Grover let out a nervous bleat. Percy couldn't believe he didn't realize he was half-goat for so long.

"That's the beauty of it, man! I'm not gonna do anything. Just gonna brush it off like she didn't even do nothin'. That oughta mess with her head." Percy was rather proud of himself for coming up with such a convincing explanation.

"That's great, man! A nonviolent approach." Grover paused. "Can I have your apple?"

Percy was happy to oblige.

As if on cue, Nancy and her gang walked up to them, and she dumped her disgusting half eaten lunch in Grover's lap, minus one peanut butter and ketchup sandwich.

"Oops." She grinned with crooked teeth, waiting for the pair of boys to get upset.

But neither did.

"Gee, speak of the devil. We were just talking about how you were such a kind and caring person. It was real sweet of you to offer us some of your lunch. It was very kind. Thank you, Nancy." Percy spoke with such a gentle and sincere tone that even Grover almost believed him.

Nancy's face was a tomato: absolutely red. Percy assumed she was mad, but it turned out she was struck with a different emotion.

"Um, um, uh, thank you! I mean, uh, you're welcome? I'm sorry! Thank you!" Nancy was totally embarrassed, shifting her weight from one foot to the other constantly while she spoke, her hands behind her back, until she ran off. Her posse looked as confused as Percy and Grover, but they reluctantly followed her.

"Well, that was unexpected," Percy told Grover once they were alone again.

"You don't think she," Grover lowered his voice, "has a thing for you, do you?"

Percy leaned back so he could dip his hand in the fountain. "I don't know, man. Would explain a lot, wouldn't it?" Percy had gotten a little better at reading people in his four extra years, and it seemed likely the chronic thief harbored a little crush on the son of Poseidon.

Almost reflexively, with his hand in the fountain water, Percy began to manipulate the liquid slightly, subconsciously. He quickly realized his mistake, but the damage had been done.

The fury Alecto, disguised as Mrs. Dodds, the teacher, was right in front of him.

Percy quickly thought to himself that it must have been the sign she was waiting for to finally peg him as a son of the sea god. It was a little bonus for her believability that Nancy had just run off; others would simply think he'd "bullied" her.

Alecto pointed her crooked finger at him, and said in a sickeningly sweet voice, "Now, honey. Come with me."

Unsurprisingly to Percy, who'd seen it before, Grover tried to cover for him. He hadn't seen the water manipulation since it was behind him, so he said, "Wait! I bullied Nancy! It was me who made her run away from us!"

"A valiant effort, Mr. Underwood, but ultimately pointless," Alecto told him.

Percy couldn't resist making a joke. "Don't worry, G-man. What's the worst that could happen?" It was only funny to Percy, and even he had a passing thought of running away with Nancy Bobofit and pretending he wasn't a demigod. But it was only for a second.

And in that second, Alecto was already at the entrance of the museum.

Percy walked slowly up the steps, trying to buy as much time as possible for Grover to alert Chiron. Despite Percy's immense skill, he doubted even he could take on a Fury unarmed, especially in such a small body, and he really wasn't looking forward to testing if he still had the curse of Achilles. He kept forgetting to check, and he wasn't sure how he could without something sharp.

He trudged behind the Kindly One for what seemed like hours, certainly enough time for Chiron to know he was in trouble.

By the time the two had reached the Greco-Roman section, the gallery was empty.

A deep growl was emanating from Alecto's throat.

"You've been giving us problems, honey."

Percy didn't feel like playing it safe. This time around, he'd have fun with it.

"Actually, I haven't been," he said smugly.

"You... you what!?" Alecto screeched.

"I don't have Hades' high and mighty magic helmet, and I never did!"

Alecto was starting to transform. Chiron was nowhere to be found. Percy didn't notice.

"And I don't have the bolt, either. And even if I did have it, I'm not gonna go trudging through the Underworld looking to hand it over to a god I don't even know!"

Alecto was a full on, leathery-winged, yellow-fanged, shriveled, old hag, and Percy had no Riptide, no water, and no Chiron.

"Die, honey!" Alecto screamed. She lunged at Percy, and he dodged her. She lunged again, and he dodged again. Still no Chiron. Percy knew he messed up, somehow. Was he not supposed to antagonize her?

While Percy was distracted, the Fury lunged once again, but this time slashing with both claws. Percy dodged one, but the other ripped through his shoulder like a ribbon. He yelped girlishly and grabbed his left shoulder, blood dripping down his arm. He did not still have the curse of Achilles.

There was Chiron! Chiron threw Riptide, and Percy caught it in his good hand. He didn't have the strength to uncap it normally, so he grabbed the handle tightly with his right arm, and brought the cap down to his dangling left hand, and grasped the tip as hard as he could.

Alecto lunged, but this time Percy had a weapon. As she sped towards him, he ripped Anaklusmos from its cap-sheath as if he were really drawing it from a scabbard at his side, and, catching the Kindly one off-guard, sliced her upward from her right hip to her left shoulder as easily as if through water, and that was the end of her.

But Percy's arm hurt like all Hades. He turned his head to see if Chiron was still there, and he was.

"Mr. Brunner? What was that?" Percy asked convincingly while Chiron wheeled over to him.

"Nevermind that, my lad. Eat this. It will help with your arm," Chiron said, while handing Percy a modest sized piece of ambrosia.

Percy ate it, and felt the found start to close up.

"Why did you have a sword? And why did Mrs. Dodds turn into an old hag? Well, more of an old hag? And why did she think I stole a helmet and a bolt? What was she even talking about?" Percy thought he was putting on a decent show.

"I suppose there's no point in hiding this from you any longer, is there?" Chiron said sadly.

"Huh? What's that supposed to mean? What have you been hiding?"

"I had hoped you could enjoy your ignorance for a little while longer," Chiron said softly.

"Mr. Brunner? Just what in the world is going on?" Percy was really killing it. When had he become such a great actor?

"Not here, my child. I'll explain everything back at the academy. Come with me. But first, touch the cap of the pen to the tip of the sword."

Percy did so, and it shrank back to a pen.

"You may well need to use that in the future. I'd suggest keeping it with you at all times." Chiron was somber, and Percy tried to give him his best 'bewildered' look. It seemed to work.

"Let's go, Mr. Jackson."

Percy followed.

"So you're telling me I'm the son of a god?"

Percy, Chiron, and Grover were in "Mr. Brunner's" office back at Yancy Academy, that same night. They had had a second tour, with just Chiron, and Percy was impressed at the centaur's power over the mist. That kind of power would be useful to have. Of course, Percy was also a little peeved, because he knew if this had really happened to him, and he hadn't known what was going on, the waiting would have been absolutely dreadful.

"Yes, I believe so," Chiron supplied calmly.

"That... actually makes a lot of sense," Percy said. "It would explain a lot of the freaky stuff that seems to get me kicked out of schools all the time."

Grover sat next to Percy, not really saying much.

"And, young Percy, My name isn't actually Mr. Brunner."

"I figured. But if you're not a Latin teacher, then who are you?"

"My name is Chiron. I believe you may have heard of me?" he said, with a gleam in his eye.

Percy tried to look surprised. "But isn't Chiron supposed to... you know...

Chiron chuckled. "Have the lower body of a horse? Well, I do. I'd show you, but it's best not to make noise right now. Don't want to attract any unwanted attention. You understand, yes?"

Percy said he did and turned to Grover. "And what about you? Is your name really Grover?"

Grover looked hurt, and Percy felt horrible about it, but he felt he needed to be believable. He regretted it, but he thought it was best.

"Of course! And I'm really your friend! I mean, it's my job to protect you, but I didn't have to be your friend. I'm a satyr, and I was sent to this school to keep eyes on any demigods, and I found you, and we didn't necessarily have to get along, but we do, I mean... " He let out a long bleat and stomped his foot, which came off, being Styrofoam.

"Oh, Styx," he grumbled, and thunder howled in the distance, though that could've just been the storm raging outside.

"I know you're my friend, G-man! Don't ever forget it. I'm gonna ignore the fact my best friend is half-goat for right now, but.. what did you mean by 'job?' Did my mom hire you or something?"

It was Chiron who chuckled and spoke up. "No, no. There exists a camp, for other people like you. A sort of summer camp, though many campers stay the full year round. It's a place surrounded by a magical barrier, keeping monsters out. A place where demigods can train to protect themselves in safety, and occasionally go on quests outside the borders... very occasionally, recently. There are satyrs sent out to many schools across the country to scout out potential demigods. And," he paused, "it's where you'll be headed in the morning."

"What!?" Percy barely managed to keep from yelling.

"You know you are a demigod, which makes your scent grow much stronger. Other monsters will seek you out. It is not safe here anymore."

"Can I... can I at least say goodbye to my mother?" Percy knew it was far safer for both him and his mother if he stayed with Chiron, but... he loved his mother too much. He desperately wanted to see her again.

Chiron seemed like he wanted to argue, but relented.

"Alright, you can accompany your mother to the border of Camp Halfblood. She will know where it is. I look forward to seeing you there, Percy Jackson."

Percy sighed a breath of relief. He'd be able to say goodbye to his mother after all.

"Now, off to bed with both of you. You've a long day ahead."

Grover and Percy groaned, because they knew he was right.

They headed back to their dorm room in silence, and Percy fell asleep the instant he was in bed. And, for once, he didn't dream.

Somehow, the Greyhound Percy and Grover took the following morning broke down, in the exact same place as the firs time. Just Percy's luck. And, wouldn't you know it, the Fates were there again, sitting at their fruit stand, knitting a huge pair of socks. Percy made the same old joke about if the socks would fit him, because he thought it was a really good one. The encounter was exactly the same as Percy remembered it, only this time, it was in the morning instead of the afternoon. He still didn't know what they were trying to tell him. That he was going to die? He decided he'd figure it out later.

Grover muttered something about how no one gets past sixth grade, and made Percy promise to stick together until they got to camp.

This time, Percy listened to him.

Traffic was atrocious, and it was already early afternoon by the time they got from the bus terminal to Percy's apartment.

Percy warned Grover about his disgusting stepfather.

"Don't antagonize Smelly Gabe. He's a horrible pig, but if we're nice to him, he'll be nice to my mother." Percy decided that this time he'd be able to save his mother, and he didn't want Gabe to make her life Hades. That, and he was going to turn him to stone in a few months, so it wouldn't hurt to be nice to him in his final hours, would it?

The two walked in, and Gabe immediately asked for poker money, surrounded by his poker buddies. Grover had paid for the taxi, so Percy only had a twenty.

He walked over and handed the money to the greasy slob with a smile, and said, "I hope you win big!" He turned and added so softly no one could hear, "you slimy oaf."

Gabe looked surprised. "Uh, thanks, kid. Why the hell are you here, anyways?"

It was Eddie, one of Gabe's poker buddies, who answered. "Come on, Gabe. Ain't a kid allowed to see his mother every once in a while?"

Percy was grateful for the assist. He was also glad no one had noticed Grover, who was hiding at the moment.

Gabe mumbled in half-hearted agreement, and proceeded to ignore Percy.

Percy nodded to Grover, and both of them snuck to Percy's room, which was littered with empty beer cans.

"Man, you've got it rough, here. I'm sorry for ya, Perce," Grover said, sincerely.

"Isn't there some way my mom could live at camp? I mean, anywhere is better than here." Percy was only asking for appearance's sake, but he really meant it. It would be amazing if she could stay at camp. Then again, she'd never meet Paul that way. Percy liked Paul. He had a great last name.

"I'm sorry, but mortals just can't enter camp. There's a magical barrier, and, and... I'm real sorry." Grover seemed truly disheartened. He let out a long, soft, sad bleat.

"Hey, it's not your fault, G-man," Percy comforted.

"Thanks."

"Anyways, we gotta wait for my mom to get home. Why don't you tell me about camp?"

"Aren't you more curious about what the Kindly One was talking about?"

"If I asked, would you tell me?"

"Err... No."

"I didn't think so. Tell me all about camp! I want to be prepared."

Percy knew everything the satyr told him, but it was nice to just talk to his best friend. They hadn't been able to in a long time, because of how the war had progressed. Percy missed him.

Eventually, Sally came home, and Gabe told her that Percy had come home. She rushed to Percy's room, threw open the door, and was about to speak, when she noticed Grover.

"Grover? Why are you here? What's wrong?" Percy's mother was terribly concerned.

Percy responded. "Mom, I... I know who I am. It's not safe here anymore. I... I need to go."

Percy had to choke back real tears. He wanted to stay with his mom more than anything, now that she was here.

Sally looked about ready to cry. "I'm sorry. I've been selfish. I wanted to keep you here, with me. I knew it wasn't safe, but I... I'm so sorry. Am I ever going to see you again?" Tears were clear in her eyes.

"Of course, Mom!" Percy rushed out. "I'll be back here as soon as summer is over. Chiron can work something out with the mist to explain things to Yancy, and... I don't know. But I'm coming back, Mom. Don't worry."

Sally looked incredibly relieved, though still sad, while Grover sheepishly smiled. "Err, Mrs. Jackson-"

"Call me Sally," Sally interrupted.

"Right, Sally, do you think, um, you could drive the two of us to camp?"

"Of course, Grover, dear."

Percy almost forgot to be surprised Grover and his mother knew one another.

"Wait, how do you know Grover, Mom?"

"I don't know him, per se, but I knew he was watching you. Making sure you were safe."

"Sally, we need to leave here, and fast. Percy's scent is remarkably strong; there are probably monsters tracking us here as we speak."

"You're right. Follow me, boys."

Grover darted out the door, and Sally started talking as he did, to cover up the noise.

"Gabe, I need to borrow the Camaro. I'm taking Percy back to Yancy."

Gabe was unimpressed. "What? Can't you just take the bus?"

Sally was not in the mood. In a tone Percy had only heard once before, when she'd found out he hadn't told her everything about his year at Yancy the first time, she said, "Gabe. Keys. Now."

Gabe was as shocked as Percy. "Uhh, yeah, uh, here." He tossed her the keys. He turned to Percy. "Not one scratch, kid. Not one scratch on this beautiful car, or I'm coming up to Yancy myself."

Percy grinned. "Don't worry. I'll take real good care of it." Gabe didn't seem to realize Percy knew something he didn't. He went back to his poker game.

New York rush hour traffic was not great, to say the least, and along with the storm that was rumbling, it was dark by the time they approached camp.

Everyone was thoroughly creeped out by the supernatural storm.

"Just a little further. Just a little further," Sally mumbled.

Percy knew lightning was about to hit the car. He braced himself for impact.

What he did not expect to see through the windshield was the Nemean Lion staring them down.

Sally slammed on the breaks, but it was too late. The car collided with the invincible lion, and flipped right over it. Percy quickly scrambled out of the wreckage, and got Riptide out of his pocket.

This hadn't happened last time! What on Earth had caused this!? Was it different, now? Where was the Minotaur?

Percy was pulled out of his thoughts by a ferocious roar. The Nemean Lion was right here, right now, but Percy wasn't sure he'd be able to beat it with no shield, no backup, and no strength. He hadn't had any time to work out yet, and his body was still weak. This would be a real test of skill.

"Grover, get help! Mom, run! It's me it's after!"

Percy focused back on the Nemean Lion, without checking to see what the others were doing. He'd have to stall until more campers could arrive. They were practically at Camp Halfblood by now.

Percy did his best.

"Hey kitty kitty kitty. Hey there! Who's a good kitty? You are! Yes you are!"

The Nemean Lion apparently did not like to be talked to like it was a dog.

It let out a roar and pounced with his jaws wide open for the kill.

Percy knew he didn't have time to dodge. He wasn't fast enough yet. He only had one shot at survival, and if he slipped up, he'd be dead. For good, this time.

Or so he assumed. After all, there was no Time lord funny business this time around. Just a lion.

As the lion sailed through the air, Percy uncapped Riptide. He'd have one shot. Just one chance.

The lion landed on Percy, but he stabbed up through the roof of its mouth with Riptide. The Nemean Lion dissolved, leaving its pelt on top of Pecy.

He had really done it! With no backup, no shield, no nothing.

It was far too late Percy realized that the Nemean Lion did not leave him unscathed. He felt his stomach get wet, and he looked down.

The lion's claws had dug through the center of his chest, nicking his heart. Blood was pouring out at an alarming rate. He was going to die.

He closed his eyes, and screamed.

"NO! I was supposed to save everyone this time! I was... supposed... to..."

Percy felt warm. His chest still ached, but when he opened his eyes, instead of the Underworld, he was back in his dorm room at Yancy academy.

He let out a loud groan and fell back asleep.

Hahahaha! Percy is still alive. What will he do differently next time? What caused the Nemean Lion to appear instead of the Minotaur? All this and more, in the next chapter of Percy Jackson and the Groundhog Years!

The pairing has not been decided, but it won't be Annabeth. Feel free to leave a review with your suggestion, if you are so inclined. If you want to understand something, leave a review with your question and I'll drop you a PM explaining everything I can. All suggestions are welcome.

I hope at this point you see the differences between this and Shattered, seeing as it's completely different. Any reviews complaining that I stole this idea from Josh the Pleb will be completely ignored, since the idea is hardly original in the first place, and I've been thinking about the concept for literally years.

R and R, as they say. Though, if you're reading this, you've already got one 'r' down. All that's left is to review!