In the Demigod Files, Rick Riordan, wrote a short story called Percy Jackson and The Sword Of Hades. In the story Nico mentions Persephone turning him into a dandelion, I often wondered why she did that and finally decided to write this story. So, here is my take on why Persephone turned Nico into a dandelion.

Nico held up his sword threateningly as several shades passed by and reached out to touch him. They took one look at the blade and scattered in three directions, fluttering away from him as fast as they could only to forget the threat a few seconds later and drifted closer, staring at him curiously.

Sometimes Nico talked to the souls out of pity or boredom even if they weren't much for conversation since they always talked about their former life, and then moments later forgot what they were talking about and asked who he was and how long he had been standing there.

He wasn't in the mood to deal with that right now and he hoped they would eventually get the picture and go bother somebody else. He had woken up this morning to find a ghost leaning over him, babbling in an Hispanic language. Apparently she thought he could speak her language since his last name was Di Angelo.

After that, he had tripped over some bowling balls in the middle of the room and he had no idea how those got there. Then he had tried to take a shower only to be joined by two Confederate soldiers who complained loudly about the news they had just received from a Yankee that they had lost the war. Nico's attempts to get them out of the bathroom had met with resistance and he had finally hopped out of the stall with shampoo still in his hair.

Now he was late for breakfast.

This was a great way to start out his day when he had come to the Underworld specifically to ask his father about his mother. Being late for breakfast certainly wouldn't earn him any brownie points.

He half wondered if he should give up the endeavor. He had been here for three days and had been unable to get a moment alone with Hades. He was either working or Persephone was always around. Nico suspected she did it on purpose because she was jealous of him and didn't want him around her husband.

It was like she expected him to be able to influence his father or something. He snorted at the thought.

At first her instant dislike toward him had surprised him until he remembered that in a way he was a constant reminder of Hades' unfaithfulness to her once. He imagined that must be a blow to any woman's self-esteem, but that didn't make him feel anymore sorrier for her because she hadn't exactly been a role model wife either.

By this time the shades had finally bored of following him and were now drifting away just as he pushed open the hugely ornamented door to the dining room. At first glance the door was nice enough until upon closer inspection he saw tiny skulls etched into the wood, entwined with black roses. The sight always gave him the creeps.

The dining room wasn't much better. It sat in perpetual gloom with a chandelier in the middle of the ceiling, though ornamentally decorated in soft crystals, hardly gave any light and if anything, made the place even more depressing.

The two gods were already sitting at the dismal black table with wilting flowers centered in the middle and bowls of unappetizing corn flake cereal in front of them, which Persephone promptly turned into pancakes with the wave of her hand as soon as Nico walked in. When Demeter next visited and asked Persephone what she served for breakfast, Persephone could always truthfully say corn flakes.

His father shot Nico a glare for making him wait so long.

"I'm sorry Lord Hades—" he started to apologize.

"You're late," Persephone interrupted him. Her long dark hair was pulled back into a thick braid that hung over one shoulder and she wore a dress that changed different shades of red, blue, purple, and pink.

It was a little nauseating.

"You may think you can do whatever you want but you can't. When you are here you follow our rules." When she finished her pointless speech she daintily held a black goblet to her mouth with her pinky in the air.

Nico sat down and scowled at her for not letting him finish his explanation to his father. "You're not my mother," he muttered under his breath.

She heard him anyway.

"For that I am grateful."

All this time, Hades said nothing, calmly cutting into his pancakes and eating it with gusto.

Nico dug out his own breakfast from his backpack. He hated Persephone all the more at that moment. She knew all he had for breakfast was some pop tarts and a granola bar.

"Would you like some pancakes?" she asked innocently.

He glowered at her and contemplated whether or not he should even dignify that with a response.

The living couldn't eat anything from the Underworld or they would be stuck there forever. It was a stupid rule, but a very important one. That was how Hades had tricked her into living in the Underworld for six months out of the year with him.

Nico knew it was still a sore spot for her. "As much as you would love having me around all the time, no thank you," he finally replied sarcastically.

Thankfully she shut up and they ate their breakfasts in silence.

Nico fidgeted nervously in his seat until Hades glared at him again. He figured now was the time to plunge into the topic he wanted to talk to him about since he doubted they would ever have time alone together and this might be the perfect revenge on Persephone.

"Lord Hades," he began, feeling ridiculous for calling his father, lord. He paused and Hades stared at him impatiently.

"What is it, Nico?" he demanded.

The demigod hesitated a moment longer, then before he could lose his nerve blurted out, "What was momma like?"

The Lord of the Underworld's face wrinkled in pain and Persephone gasped in indignation.

"How dare you mention that woman at this table?" she shrieked.

Nico gave Persephone his best death glare. "I wasn't speaking to you!"

Hades cleared his throat and they looked at him simultaneously. "I do not want to talk about your mother, Nico."

"Why not?" he asked angrily. "She was my mother and I have a right to know about her!" Hades face darkened and he belatedly remembered he was speaking to a god that could blast him to bits if he were angry enough. But the damage was already done so he continued to look him steadily in the eye, hoping he would be impressed with his courage and not kill him on the spot.

Persephone clapped her hands to her ears. "Do not speak of that woman!" she screamed again.

Later, Nico blamed his ADHD for what happened next. He abruptly stood up, the chair clattering to the floor, and drew out his sword to charge her. He was so mad he couldn't think straight and all he heard was a loud roar in his ears.

With a wave of her hand she turned his sword into a long red rose before he could clamber over the table to get to her.

He stared at it in astonishment and dropped the rose in disgust. The gods never played fair.

She smirked, which made him madder than ever. Still not thinking of the consequences and only wanting to hurt her like she had hurt him, Nico summoned ten skeletons from their post to attack her.

Persephone easily turned them all into flowers. He was getting ready to summon some more when Hades banged on the table with his fist. "ENOUGH!"

The ground shook and Nico was sure Los Angeles felt a minor earthquake.

Hades stood and at that moment the demigod realized just how tall his father was, or maybe he was purposely looming over them. He didn't know.

"Nico, I will not discuss your mother with you!" he turned to glare at Persephone, then stormed out of the dining room.

Nico scowled at Persephone and slung his backpack over his shoulder. If she hadn't been there, Hades might have talked to him about his mother. He had intended to stomp out of the room and slam the door behind him, leaving the Underworld for good, but when he saw Persephone's sly smile he stopped cold.

What the Hades was she thinking that would make her smile like the Cheshire cat?

She pointed her index finger at him and…the world shrunk, literally.

What the Hades?

Nico opened his mouth to tell her to knock it off when he realized he didn't have a mouth. WHAT THE HADES?

He also said a few other choice words in his head that shouldn't be repeated.

Persephone smirked and picked him up. "You are so much cuter as a dandelion. I think I'll plant you in my garden."

A dandelion? He tried to look down at his body and saw a stem and two tiny leaves. More profanity spewed from his head. If only Persephone could hear his thoughts.

"Oh, I can hear your thoughts," she purred. "You have a colorful vocabulary for one so young."

Oh yeah? His vocabulary could be much more colorful. Once for fun, he had tried his hand at sailing and while he had spent most of his time puking his guts out he had learned a lot of interesting new words and he used them now.

He screamed and raged at her through their entire walk, but she ignored him until they reached the garden and she found a nice spot next to the pomegranate tree to plant him. Persephone blew him a kiss and left him alone.

Nico was boiling mad and fumed for several hours, but after a time he grew bored with railing profanity and curses at her and fell asleep.

He dreamt of the sun and sky and fresh air, feeling more alive and happy then he had ever felt in his life until it was rudely interrupted by a young girl with pig tails stepping on him.

Ouch, that hurt.

When he abruptly woke up he was still a dandelion.

Did she plan on keeping him this way forever? Would his father even notice he was gone? He usually came and went as he pleased, though he always told Hades goodbye before he left. Would the god think he was too mad at him to say bye this time?

Just when Nico thought he would go mad from boredom he heard someone swear loudly in Greek.

Hades face came into view and he looked livid. He also looked a lot bigger and it was kind of intimidating. Right now would be the perfect time to do away with a child you didn't want, Nico couldn't help thinking bitterly.

He pulled the demigod out of the ground, which strangely hurt. The god continued to mutter in Greek. Nico tried to catch what he said, but the words were uttered too low for him to understand.

Did he know it was him? How would he know that out of all the flowers, or in this case weeds, in this stupid garden?

Suddenly, he remembered something horrible. Dandelions couldn't grow in the Underworld. They always died a few hours after Persephone planted them.

A cold feeling crept over him. Would he have died if his father hadn't found him? If a dandelion could shudder he was certain he would have. It was strange how the thought never occurred to him until now.

Of course now it was all he could think about and he wondered at the strange feeling where his throat might have been. Was that a scratchy feeling there? He did feel a little warmer than usual.

Hades stormed into Persephone's room without knocking. "PERSEPHONE!" he shouted. He held Nico up so she could take a look. He could see her smirk and he started yelling all the profanities he could think of at her. "Change Nico back!"

"It's so much quieter, don't you think?" she said casually. "And doesn't he look cute?"

"Persephone, don't make me ask again," Hades said in a dangerously low voice. Persephone paled a little at the murderous look on his face and reluctantly pointed her index finger in Nico's direction.

He was instantly changed back into his boy form and Hades held him tightly. He glared at Persephone and tried to scramble out of his father's arms, but Hades wouldn't let him go. He turned without another word and carried Nico out of the room to the entrance hall. It was clear what Hades had in mind and in spite of himself, he couldn't help it when his eyes starting watering.

He blinked rapidly to clear them before the god could see them.

Once Hades set him down, Nico shifted his backpack around and straightened his black t-shirt.

He couldn't help hoping that he threw Persephone in Tartarus and tortured her for a long time even though he knew that would never happen.

Now more than ever he wanted nothing more than to leave this place for good. He had been humiliated beyond belief and unable to defend himself while he slowly died.

"I'm going," he told his father, not at all expecting resistance.

He nodded. "I think that would be best."

Nico wanted to cry again or hit something. His father had carried him practically to the door and yet he had still held some tiny hope that Hades didn't want him to go? He really should get a life.

It was clear he wasn't wanted here so why bother ever coming back? What parent thinks it's best for their child to leave? A god, that's who. They can't be bothered with mortal children. They love being with other women, but don't want to deal with the consequences.

Scowling, he headed for the door when Hades' next words stopped him. "You have your mother's eyes. Your sister, unfortunately, inherited mine. You also have her chin and her temper." Hades' eyes took on a vacant look as he smiled sadly into the distance. "I remember us getting into fights and she would look at me the same way you do when you refuse to back down."

Since Hades seemed willing to share right now, Nico decided to gamble with his good mood and ask another question. "What was her name?"

"Maria," he sighed unhappily Did he really miss his mother? As lord of the dead he could easily see her if he wanted to, but as far as Nico knew he hadn't. Maybe he didn't want to be reminded of the past.

Hades looked at him again and his eyes became cold. Clearly the sharing time was over.

"I have work to do."

Nico nodded and they parted ways.

He now had a name. He could do some research and find out if he had any relatives. Nico briefly thought about visiting Percy to see if he would like to help, then dismissed the idea.

He preferred being on his own and he was still kind of mad at Percy for letting his sister die. Nico know it wasn't his fault, but he still couldn't help blaming him.

When he finally reached the surface he took a deep breath.

Death stinks. Even in the Underworld, and it was nice to get some fresh air. The sun was just setting making the sky look orange and red.

Good. It would be dark soon. He liked the dark because the darkness accepts him for what he is.

A son of Hades.

Nico climbed down the steep slope and slipped into the waiting shadows.