Nico looked at Thanatos, mouth dry. "I'm here to make a bargain," he said softly.

"Go on," Thanatos said dryly, "I'm interested."

Nico squared his shoulders. "I'm asking you, no, begging you, don't take my sister when the time comes. Let her live a long, happy life. That's the least she deserves."

Thanatos smiled. "So? What will you give me, oh King of Ghosts?" His tone dripped mockery.

Nico winced. "Me."

Thanatos paused. "What?"

"Take me instead. Hazel is needed, more important than I am. She's one of the Seven. I, on the other hand...take me, Thanatos, in exchange for Hazel's soul. No one will notice if I am dead," Nico whispered.

Thanatos regarded the skinny, pale boy. His dark eyes were crazed and sorrowful, but even in his pitiful state, the son of Hades radiated power.

"Deal."

(line break)

"Hazel!" Frank screamed. He knelt beside her, numb with grief. The daughter of Pluto clutched her side, where a sword stuck out from. Blood was pouring from her wound.

"Hazel, hang on. We'll get you help. Ambrosia, nectar, you name it," Percy said, trying to sound encouraging.

Hazel tried to smile. "Nuh-no need..." she gasped, clutching at Frank's hands, "Luh-let me g-go...it's time for me to di-die, anyways."

"No! We won't let you die, Hazel!" Piper shouted.

"Gaia's duh-dead. My mission here is...done," Hazel whispered. Her eyes dimmed and her head lolled to one side.

Annabeth buried her face into Percy's shoulder, body shuddering with sobs. Jason hugged Piper, holding her against him. Leo lowered his head, scuffing the ground with his shoe. Frank grabbed Hazel's narrow shoulders, shaking her. "You can't die! Hazel! Come back! Please-!" He shouted, nearly incoherent.

Percy reached out tentatively. "Hey man, it's alri-"

"Shut up!" Frank roared. Percy backed away. "It's not alright!"

Thanatos, invisible to all, held Hazel's soul in his arms. Oh how he would love to take her away, but no. There was someone better. A certain Ghost King. He slipped Hazel's soul back into the vessel lightly, and turned to face the shimmering ghost of Nico.

Meanwhile, Hazel took a depp, shuddering breath. The rest of the Seven stared at her, hardly able to believe it. "Huh-Hazel?" Frank stuttered.

Hazel lifted her head slowly, blinking. "Whuzzup, guys?" She slurred. Cheers rang out in the air. Frank picked her up, bridal-style, and swung her around, laughing.

No one noticed as Thanatos left, bringing with him the soul of the Ghost King.

(line break)

I based this reaally reaaally short one-shot on a poem I wrote a while ago:

I roam in the graveyard,

I walk with the dead.

Among the tombstones,

I make my bed.

Forgotten, forbidden,

I wander alone –

The son of Hades

And heir to his throne.

I placed my trust

On the sea god's son,

But he broke my spirit

And left me shunned.

The soul of my sister

Has long since departed,

Leaving me grief,

To live brokenhearted.

I've lost all I have;

I've nothing to give.

Tartarus has taken

My desire to live.

So leave my sister,

Take me instead.

For no one will notice,

If I am dead.