Life was so boring without Percy, Nico reflected. When his cousin wasn't around, getting into the nearest mess, he didn't have much to look forward to. He could go to the Underworld and be feared by the dead and criticized by his dad, or he could go to camp and be excluded. People were afraid of death- even the demigods at Camp Half-Blood. Though helping so influentially in the War had helped them be near him, the campers still instinctively shied away from his aura of death. It should be better after the war against Gaia. Assuming I survive.

He knew he should probably be preparing for the war. But he didn't want to be at Camp Half-Blood, or be near Hazel at Camp Jupiter. Sure, she was nice, but after Bianca's death? He didn't need another sister, especially a half-sister. It bothered him slightly that he had a half-sister, because neither of them were supposed to be alive. They were both born during World War II, and were targeted by Zeus in an effort to keep the prophecy from happening.

But, more than that, he was angry at Bianca for leaving him again. First, she had joined the Hunters and gotten herself killed on a quest, and still avoided him even while she was dead. Then she abandoned him again to be reborn.

It was the same old story with everybody. They grew tired or scared of him and left. He was beginning to wonder if he was just unlikable. His own mother had tried and died under Zeus' bolts.

As he wandered through the Parisian graveyard he had absentmindedly shadow-traveled to, he noticed a small black Scottie-ish dog taking a nap on a headstone. It looked sad and lonely, and had no collar. He wondered if the dog had been abandoned, and if it would even like him. Mrs. O'Leary did, but she was a hellhound. All the rules changed when the dog is the size of a rhino with sharp claws and teeth, an appetite for flesh (or giant pink rubber yaks), and is a creature of the Underworld. Not that he was necessarily considering adopting a/that dog, but he got lonely too. Misery loves company, after all.

He was interrupted from his thoughts when a bunch of wolf-looking things-probably monsters- came after the dog with claws outstretched. The Scottie dog yelped once and started to run. Nico ran after them, taking off his ring and pulling his Stygian iron sword out of the air.

The wolf things were not prepared to face an armed foe. They had prepared themselves to take out an innocent victim- the little dog that was probably a baby hellhound.

He slashed through three at once, their bodies crumpling to dust. The blade sucked their essence out, making their bodies wither, but they weren't monsters. They were something else. Something volatile and dangerous. Not dangerous to him, but to the mortals.

The remaining two growled, lifting their hackles and launching themselves at him. A furious dance began and lasted for about a minute, Nico's sword singing the deadly song of battle (and victory) as it sailed through the air.

The dog walked up to him uncertainly and licked him. There was intelligence in its beady black eyes. It looked like a boy. Nico smiled and patted its head. At least someone that wasn't dead liked him.

"Hi, boy," he said softly. "I'm going to call you Mr. O'Leary."

The dog barked as if he liked the name.

"Alright then," Nico smiled. "Let's go, boy."

The dog obediently trotted after him as he got up and walked out of the graveyard. Little did Nico know he was about to get into a genetic mess….

Ever wonder what Nico's doing before he meets Percy at camp? Well, now you know. Making friends with man's best (flying, talking) friend.

So, I have no idea exactly when the Doors of Death open, but once they do, Bianca is reborn and Nico takes Hazel to camp. This is about a week or so after that. Wonder how the flock will react… *evil smile*

Um, as for Maximum Ride, this is after Angel.

Next chapter is Total POV (what a nightmare that will be), so you'll learn why he's there and get inside his head. First time I've ever switched up the POV's, so bear with me please.

Currently juggling three multi-chapter stories, with a lot more to write for all of them, plus a lot of one-shots and other multi-chapter stories I plan on writing. I'll try to update each one once a month, because I like getting one thing done a week. It keeps me working, but right now I really want to write.

You are lucky readers! Three updates this week! (Yes, one was late, but still.) I was thinking about leaving this one for next week, but… nah. Probably being too nice to you. Return the favor by reviewing!