Nico ran down to his secret room, where he hid and cried for what seemed like hours. He was shaking and gasping when something approached him.

"He really is a jerk sometimes," hissed a voice. Nico screeched and spun around, turning to face a small dog's skeleton.

"What the..." The dog laughed and nodded over it's shoulder, gesturing at the door.

"Want to see your boyfriend?" it asked. Nico sniffled and nodded, getting up. He shadow-traveled, with the dog of course, to the outside of a creepy-looking cavern. Nico set the dog down and followed it inside, carefully stepping over bones that stuck out of the ground.

"Fido, is that you?" a sweet voice called out, apparently to the dog. Fido barked and clattered forward, Nico following shakily. "And who is this?" A pretty woman stood before a mirror, touching up her make-up. She had waist-length sandy blonde hair and pale greenish-blue eyes. (A/N: I went by Uncle Rick's description!)

"I'm Nico Di Angelo," he replied, fading a little nervously.

"Well, Nico, I am Persephone. Are you the one Fido said needed my expertise?" She winked at the dog and slowly strolled towards Nico.

"What exactly is your expertise?" he asked. Persephone put her hand on her hip and smiled sweetly, the action seeming to hurt her face.

"Why I'm a witch, dear!" she cackled, making it seem like everyone knew this. "I help poor innocent ghosties- like yourself- have a little extra time to do what they need!" Nico's jaw dropped and Fido laughed a little.

"That's right. She can help you with your Princely-problem." Nico stepped closer and looked up at her.

"How much?" Persephone laughed and shook her head, turning back to the mirror.

"Oh, no, dear, I don't take money- for your case..." She tapped her cheek semi-thoughtfully. "Well, I'll give you three days as a human. Hear that? Three days- three." She stuck three fingers in his face and continued. "If you get your man to kiss you by the third day, you'll get to stay human. But, it can't be just any kiss. It has to be true love's kiss." Nico took a deep breath and nodded, looking Persephone straight in the eye.

"What do you want?" he asked, prepared to give pretty much anything. Persephone's sweet smile twisted into a wicked grin, chilling Nico to the ectoplasm.

"I want... your voice." Nico opened his mouth to protest, but she held up a hand. "You have your looks, your pretty face- and don't forget body language." She laughed and swung her hips jokingly. "Well, do I have a deal or no?" Nico steadied his breathing and nodded silently, receiving a cackle from Persephone. She pointed to the center of the room and a massive pot appeared, and she started throwing things from under her make-up table into it. She laughed again as the concoction flashed dangerously, sparking as bubbles on the surface popped. "Now, sing!" Nico swallowed nervously and sang, forcing himself to keep going, even when smoke and light started swirling around him. There was a great flash when he finished, and she could feel himself becoming solid. He was sent flying through the earth, rising to the Surface faster than a bullet. He appeared on a street corner, fully human.