AN: This story starts at the Titan's Curse timeline, and will include flashbacks to provide a deeper understanding of Percy's past

A young girl dressed in a silver parka and hunting garb marched angrily down the street, hastily entering a small coffee shop. Storming over to a table in a corner, she sat down, seething.

"What do you think you're doing in San Francisco after I specifically told you to avoid the West?"

"Sorry Mother," the boy replied, "I just couldn't resist the temptation of hunting such a powerful beast. Did you really believe I wouldn't hear about this?"

"Perseus," she sighed, "what have I told you about calling me that? You know what would happen if any of the others found out about you! And after that fiasco Hydra late year, I thought you would have learned your lesson about hunting powerful beasts on your own." Last year, the Hunt was tracking a drakon, but when we finally found it, Percy had already engaged it in battle and had it not been for our timely intervention, he would have most likely died.

"I AM YOUR SON," he all but shouted. "You go on and on about how it is for my protection, but let's make one thing clear, you can't hide from this forever. I refuse to be chastised by you who refuse to claim me as your own, yet feels the need to order me around. I will capture the ophiotaurus with, or without your blessing! Besides, where are your sisters? Stalking the perimeter waiting for your command to take me down, and bring me back to camp?" After his outburst, both sat there in a stupor, oblivious to the looks the patrons of the shop gave them.

"Perseus," she started, "You know I care for you deeply. But I want you at camp for your own protection. You are my firstborn. Not even I know what enhancements you inherited from me, but I do know that you are stronger than most demigods, perhaps even those of my father and his brothers. Without proper guidance, your life would be in jeopardy, and I cannot have that."

"Then take me in. Let me join the Hunt. I promise to follow all of your rules, do whatever you say anything, just please let me in." At this point, the young boy was nearly in hysterics, and knowing that this years' long argument would lead nowhere, Artemis decided to cut to the chase.

"Look, you know why you can't join, or do you not remember the last time you and my lieutenant came into contact. However, you should know that my Father has ordered me on a solo hunt, and if you are willing, I will allow you to join me, only if you swear on the Styx to return to the camp once our task is completed." Percy sat there in a stupor for a moment a hunt with mother? And no pesky, rude hunters to deal with!

"Ok," he relented, "you got yourself a deal, now let's talk logistics. I swear on the Styx to go wherever you want after we complete this hunt." The slight rumble of muffled thunder in the distance validated the deal.

"The Romans have reported increasing numbers of scouting parties in the bay area. So far they seem random, but I don't think I need to remind you about being cautious in this area."

"So that's it? That's all the mighty Olympian council managed to get out of esteemed Augur Octavian? Well if it's not too much trouble, why don't I take a field trip to the legion real quick and see if I can get the sad excuse of a legacy to dream up something else!" Ever since he had first visited Camp Jupiter, Percy has hated the haughty and self-righteous attitude of the Augur. He refused to join the Legion without being properly recognized as my son, and had left under the guise as a son of Apollo, completing covert missions assigned directly from Olympus.

"You will do no such thing! You are fortunate enough to know of both camps, but visiting both this frequently is a serious crime. And I thought I told you to never go there again? Give me your arm!"

Before he could even begin to regret what he just said, Artemis grabbed his hand and inspected his forearm.

"Don't worry. I didn't receive my tattoos. Surprisingly enough they didn't kill me after I refused to join the legion, although they still had that worm Octavian inspect fluff to determine if I was a threat to their little empire." Plus, he added silently, finding out a certain son of Jupiter exists is an interesting piece of information that I now have at my disposal.

After this revelation, the two just stared each other down; not quite glaring, but not relenting either. This is what most of their interactions inevitably came to. In fact, this was probably the longest conversation between the two in years.

"Very well," Artemis eventually drawled, "While I can't say I'm not disappointed, at least you had enough brains to not stick around." In her heart, she knew he didn't belong at either camp. He was her son; a natural hunter if she ever saw one. Always seeking the thrill of adventure. She wished with all her heart he could join them, but knew her hunters would never accept the boy. And should they ever find out the circumstances to which he was conceived, the girls would kill him without remorse.

"We should get going if we are to catch this beast by the Solstice. Did you have any ideas on where to start?"

"I know just the place."