ERGGH!

I'm juggling to many balls at once. First of all, I'm COMPLETELY stuck on the third chapter of Poseidon's War (please read everything so far). I've started several times but always end up deleting everything in frustration. The problem is that I was never good at mythology and as a result have NO ideas for monsters in the story. If you've read that story, than please PM me with an idea(s). It would be much appreciated!

Second of all, I have two oneshots that I'm still working on, though I'm thinking of ditching one of them.

And now a lot of people are suddenly reading my first fanfic: Percy Jackson and the Deadly Secret, probably due to the fact that I as good as advertised it in Poseidon's War.

I know many of you hated it, but I still got a lot of people saying they liked it. So, I decided to please both of you groups. I'm editing or re-doing every chapter, making sure I get it right this time. This time you are going to like this, guaranteed. Well, almost :D

Chapter 1: My Cousin Ruins My Birthday

" 'Come in for cake and ice cream' I said. 'I can tell we have a lot to talk about.' "

Nico had readily agreed, and we were on our way downstairs when the worst possible thing happened. I groaned, reluctantly drawing Riptide. It was my birthday; couldn't the monsters give me a break?

Apperantly not, I mused to myself as I uncapped the pen I was holding. Standing in front of me were two monsters that I had hoped I'd never meet again; Tammi and Kelli, the empousai.

They were still in their cheerleader uniforms, and while they didn't look like much danger through the Mist, I knew from a past experience not very long ago at all that these monsters meant business. Nico was looking at me, confused. Why wouldn't he? First of all, he probably didn't see them in there true, wicked form yet. They were just cheerleaders… But then again, why would they be here?

I didn't want to let my guard down, so I whispered out of the corner of my mouth, "Monsters," and his eyes opened in alarm. While he started to look closer at them, Tammi spoke, wickedly grinning.

"Any chance of a kiss? I know I never gave you one last time." She hissed and leaned closer. I stood my ground. What I was going to do was probably the most simple thing I could do, yet surprisingly ingenious.

I managed a half smile. "Of course you can!" Tammi and Kelli advanced like zombies toward me, probably thinking about how good I would taste. I had made myself look quite un-threatening by capping Riptide and holding my hands behind my back. Of course anyone could guess I was up to something. I didn't believe it when they came greedily forward without a thought for defense.

They would pay.

As soon as they got close enough, I uncapped the pen in my hand and lashed out in one fluid motion, slicing both in one slash of my sword. Then came the thing that puzzled me. Instead of exploding into dust, or even disappearing in flames (like they did at our first unpleasant meeting), they simply dissipated in the blink of an eye. Poof. Something wasn't right.

Then I heard laughing. Mirthless, hysterical laughing.

I turned around.

"Ahhhhh... It feels good to trick an enemy," Kelli and Tammi said, freakishly together. Then they vanished in flames.

My mom was, of course, was surprised at first to see Nico, but she quickly turned to curious. She didn't say anything, however.

"Mom-Nico. Nico-meet my mom, Sally Jackson."

"Nice to meet you, Miss Jackson." Nico politely said, and though his voice didn't portray it, I could somehow tell that he was a little anxious.

I guess my mom could tell too, so once he finished eating (more like wolfing) some cake, she left saying that she was letting us have a bit of time to talk.

After she left, Nico sighed.

"I guess this was a bad time to come. Sorry."

"Don't worry, it is fine." I replied, though it was true that he put a little bit of a damper on the day.

Nico then lowered his voice and leaned in a bit. "It's about Kronos, of course. Well, at least it must be. Had- my dad is having quite a time with the Underworld lately. Every one is restless, or at least more than usual. Spirits are disappearing and running amok around the country. Even monsters are leaving prematurely, in as little as a minute sometimes before they reform. It is almost like you are now face an endless supply of monsters. It is scary, to say the least. Even my dad is worried." He paused for a breath. "I know you can't help, but I think I know some people who can." When I stayed silent, he leaned in closer and said "I'm thinking of raising demigods and heroes from the dead. Ancient and recent. Think about it. An army of the greatest warriors."

I ran my hands through my hair. All of this was a lot to take in on a birthday party. First demon cheerleaders trick me into attacking weaker clones of them (that is something I'll have to think on), and now my cousin tells me there was a way to defeat Luke, possibly before I would turn sixteen, by raising up an army of dead. Yikes. Can the dead even die again? It seemed like a solid plan to me.

"I'm all for it, but..." I broke out of his gaze. "Are you ready for this? I'm guessing your dad can't help but can you?" I couldn't help but add "Even the most all powerful kids have there limits."

Nico smiled, then looked at me straight in the eye. "I know3 I can do it. Just you wait. Next summer, when you come back to Camp, I'll have 500 warriors under your command."

He had looked so confident. It was hard not to believe a face like that.

But I didn't know how wrong he actually was...

I know you probably thought that chapter was a bit confusing, but I wanted to make it a bit more interesting.

There isn't much more to say now except review, and read onward. This story WILL get better! I hope you like everything so far!

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Read Poseidon's War! Give me an idea!

—the big NOBODY