I just want to say thanks to my reviewers, and that NICO ROCKS!!!!! Wow, I can't hide my obsession with this series even when I write! I have one quick question, and can someone please answer? How old will Nico be after the final battle in the real series? I don't own any of the books, honestly the things from the book I'm writing from memory. Now, ON WITH THE STORY!

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I sat down in the chair by the bed and stared at Emma, all the while wondering what this could do with me.

"I was with Annie just yesterday in New York City where she lives," Emma started in a melancholy voice, "and school let out a month ago. I thought it was good that she didn't know, the monsters were all fighting in the war or after you."

I twitched when she mentioned me, but, fiddling with her hands, Emma continued.

"I thought I was doing the right thing, keeping her from her fate for a little longer, avoiding the hardships of being a half-blood for a little longer. I was more hoping, really, that she might be ignored even though her aroma is powerful. We can sense when a demigod was blessed by a god other than their own parent," Emma continued, "and that's the case with Annie."

After taking a quick, melancholy glance at her injured friend, Emma started again, her voice breaking. "We were by the ocean, and Annie loves it, but she always gets wet so she isn't a daughter of Poseidon. We were wading when I saw someone coming to us, with her face covered. I smelled the scent and from the way she hid her face came up with one conclusion: Medusa. I told Annie to run, and she questioned me, like always."

Fresh tears were sliding down Emma's face, and she seemed to struggle to find words.

"Medusa was only a few feet away and she was carrying something I hadn't seen before: a sword. Before I knew what was happening, she sliced it at Annie, and Annie somehow jumped away but got a gnash on her arm."

Emma touched her friend lightly and that was when I noticed a long bloody bandage, but I was still wondering: what did this have to do with me? "Annie grabbed my hand and we ran, but I heard Medusa behind us yelling and laughing. She said 'who am I to alter fate? To alter the fate of Nico Di' Angelo!' we think you're part of her fate, and Medusa somehow found out." I just stared at her, dumbstruck, but as if she didn't notice, Emma continued, still fiddling with her hands. "We ran, and Erica threw a rock at her face. I don't know how she did it; it was like she somehow got the strength of Hercules! The rock was as big as my head!"

Emma then puffed out her chest, as if she felt proud of her friend, but then looked ashamed of herself.

"I got scared, I just kept running, I didn't even think of Annie." Emma spat out in self-disgust.

"I'm a coward."

I just sat there, not sure what to do, and when I had nothing or response, Emma went on.

"I didn't know that rocks could kill monsters, but I saw Annie grab my hand and saw the remains of Medusa. She demanded to know what the thing was, and I told her the abbreviated version: we were going to camp Half-Blood. We got a cab and made it as far as the hill, and then we were attacked. The Minotaur's hunger finally seemed to get to him, he charged, and Annie jumped out of the way, but not fast enough. Her leg was broken."

Emma motioned her head to the bed and it was then I realized her leg was sticking out at an odd angle.

"The Minotaur usually kills quickly, but he seemed to want to make it slow and painful, making scars on Annie's face with his wretched teeth. I did what first came to mind: I ran for Chiron. We arrived only just in time; I think the Minotaur was about to kill her.

"Nico," I winced when I heard her say my name, something I hadn't heard from anyone but Chiron and Bianca for the past month.

"We think somehow the monsters know what your fate is, and that since you defeated Kronos, they want to disrupt it, destroy it. We don't know what part Annie was planned to have in your life, and we may never find out."

The words echoed in my mind.

And we may never find out. This girl was a target because she may be part of my fate, something we didn't plan, and something that was planned for us. "Right now," Emma continued, her voice breaking once more, "we're hoping now that she wakes up in time for us to give her nectar, it she doesn't, it's all my fault." Without thinking it, I answered.

"The fates are cruel."

It was something I overheard Percy telling Annabeth before the battle, and she seemed upset about it, jealous even, but like she was expecting to hear whatever else Percy told her. I didn't know why I was thinking about them at this moment, and I pushed it out of my mind.

Then, as if on cue, Annie groaned.

"Annie!" Emma exclaimed, beaming with joy brightening her eyes. She looked truly happy, jubilant.

"H…Hurts." Annie managed to croak out. Emma grabbed a cup by the dresser and handed it to me, "have her drink this."

I nodded, furrowing my eyebrows, confused as I put the straw to Annie's mouth. Why did Emma want me to do it? Why didn't she, rather than leave the room like she did just as she handed me the cup. Why didn't she stay if she was so worried about her friend?

Annie drank, sucking the nectar through the straw as if her life depended on it, which it actually might. Then I slowly saw her leg begin to go in a normal position, and her wounds fade into her perfectly tanned skin. Annie seemed to struggle to open her eyelids, to peer at where she was.

I smiled uncertainly when they cracked opened, and she returned the smile, flashing brilliantly white teeth. With a satisfied sigh, she closed her eyes, and breathed deeply.

But then I realized something.

I smiled.

The only time I smiled at anyone but Bianca since the war. I shook my head dazed.

I felt, peaceful. It seemed strange now, but I realized I welcomed it with open arms.

Little did I know while I gazed at Annie that Chiron was in the doorway, shaking his head in defeat and then whispering: "you will regret this."

By the way, I know Medusa doesn't carry a sword. You'll see why the monsters want to painfully kill Annie in upcoming chapters. Oh! Another cliff! Wow, if I was reading this rather than writing, I would really hate myself! I reached my mark again! 1,066 words in the story for this chapter! By the way, don't forget to review! Or else…