Nichole's POV

'Oh God, my side hurts,' I thought to myself. I opened my eyes to find myself surrounded by teens and my family.

"Nichole, are you feeling alright?" Apollo asked me.

"Just peachy," I replied sarcastically. He just laughed.

"I'm glad you finally found a use for your daggers, Nikki," Artemis said, grinning.

"I'm glad I was able to save you and your hunters. Other than Alexia, you guys were the only ones at the orphanage who showed me any sign of friendship."

"Now, that all of the gods are here, can you tell us who your god-parent is?" Percy asked.

I looked at my father, grandfather, and great grandfather.

"Should I tell them?" I asked.

"Not yet," Zeus said.

"No," Hades said.

"Not today," Poseidon said. "We should wait, Nichole."

"Dad!" Percy exclaimed. "How come you're on her side?"

"Percy, I know why she was reluctant to tell you, and I'm not going to make her tell you until she is ready."

"Not you too, Dad," Alexia exclaimed. "You're on her side, too?"

"Sorry, Alexia," Zeus said. "But I won't make her tell anyone until she's ready."

"Dad!" Alexia and Percy exclaimed. "That's not fair!"

"SHUT UP!" I exclaimed. "I'm not telling anyone right now! Oh my gods, you guys are worse than the kids at the orphanage!" They looked at me. "I hate listening to people argue, especially about something so stupid!"
"Nikki, I'm sorry. I forgot how much you hated that," Alexia said.

"Well if you really want to know who my god parent is, then they are all here."

"What do you mean by all?" Percy asked me.

"I mean that I am related to all of the gods, Percy," I said, close to tears. I slid off the bed and ran out of the Big House. To my surprise, I was able to teleport into one of the tall trees. That must be one of the things I got from my parents.

"Nikki, where are you?" Annabeth yelled.

"Nikki, come out and talk to us!" Alexia exclaimed.

"Nichole, where are you? Please come out and talk to us!" Percy called standing under the tree I was in. I popped (Teleported) to another tree, higher up in it too, as he looked up into the tree I was in before.

"Nikki, come talk to me. Please," Artemis said walking towards the tree I was in. She popped onto my branch. "Nikki, what's wrong?" I didn't want to talk to anyone right now, not even Artemis. I may look like I'm a tough girl on the outside, but no one's ever met the me that hides in the shadows, afraid of the world.

"Nothing," I lied, looking away. No way in Hades was I going to let anyone see me cry, especially Artemis. She pulled my face back towards her.

"Nikki, don't lie to me. I know something's wrong. Why won't you talk to me?"

"I have nothing to say," I said softly, my voice breaking from my tears.

"Come on, Nichole. Let's go back to the others."

"Sure, Artemis. Let's go," I said as I climbed down the tree.

"Are you sure you're okay, Nikki?"

"Yeah, Artemis. I'm just a bit tired."

"Great job, Artemis," Percy said as we joined the group.

"Where did you find her?" Alexia asked.

"She was up in a tree," Artemis said. "When she saw Percy below the first tree she was in, she teleported to the one I found her in."

"You were in the tree I stopped under?" Percy asked me.

"Yes, I was. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to take a swim to clear my head, and no you can't come with me, Percy."

"Come on, Nichole! Why not?"

"I want to be alone, Percy," I told him. A little while later, I was walking towards the mess hall and was caught in a headlock by Ares.

"I think that you owe me a test of your strength, kiddo," he said.

"Let me go, Ares, and don't call me kiddo!" I exclaimed.

"Come on, Nichole. Your dad, granddad, and great granddad want you inside now."

"What for?"

"You'll see," he replied as he covered my eyes.

"Ares, uncover my eyes before I hurt you!" I exclaimed.

"Nope," he said as I thrashed around.

"Ares, as soon as I get my hands on you, you are so dead," I screamed.

"Don't get your panties in a twist," he said as he squeezed me tighter. He carried me into the mess hall.

"Happy Birthday, Nichole!" my friends and family yelled as Ares pulled the blindfold off. I saw the campers and the gods sitting at their respective tables, and two people who seemed out of place, one being my great granddad, and the other being my best friend that I hadn't seen in just about forever.

"Arielle Zara Phoenix, is that you?" I asked shocked.