Hey, hey! Sorry for the update that seemed to take, like, FOREVER! Stay tuned for more chapters, and BTW, thanks for the reviews!

So, here's the long-awaited for chapter… and remember, R&R!

Chapter 4: Nico's Nightmare and Doubled problems

Nico's POV

I can't believe that Percy, Annabeth and my supposed girlfriend, Dylan, nearly left me while I was talking to Annika, the pretty blonde at the checkout counter. When I got there, I got into a face-off with Dylan. Then, she and Annabeth swapped seats. As soon as the front door slammed closed, Dylan turned her back on me. I could've sworn I heard sniffling from the front seat. I pretended not to notice the drops of water gathering on her jeans. After all, she was the one who didn't call me. But wait. Come to think of it, I was flirting with the girl at the counter. I don't know what possessed me to do that. I can't believe I'd say this again, but I'll admit: I have turned into a world-class jerk to Dylan. And I'll have to make it up to her as soon as possible.

Dylan's POV

As soon as I slammed the door closed, I let the tears spill over. I had to do it quietly, so that the world-class jerk doesn't know that I'm crying. I just can't believe that he did this to me. Just then, I sensed something powerful. It was at the clearing of trees at the side of the road. I poked Percy's arm. "Hey, Percy?"

"Yeah?"

"Pull up over there."

"Why?"

"Because I sense something. Something strong. It may be a clue as to where my mom is held."

"Okay."

Percy cut through three lanes of cars and parked midway through the road that led deeper into the woods. We got out, went farther through the woods, and it wasn't long when we heard hissing sounds. "Um… what was that?" I asked, looking around. Seconds later, four, um, I don't know, humanoids? Yeah, humanoids jumped in our way. They had double snake trunks for legs, and in the upper half, which was female, might have been beautiful if they didn't have snake eyes and forked tongues. Four of them, four of us, I thought. This should be fun. Then, we charged.

I just vaporized my dracaena, when things started to go wrong. I heard Nico grunt, and when I looked over, he was lying flat on the ground, his dark eyes filled with horror. The dracaena raised her dagger to impale Nico. I couldn't let that happen now, right? As much as I hate him right now, I still like him. I would never forgive myself if something happened to him. So, I screamed "No!" and bolted forward, but I was too late. The dagger plunged into Nico's side, and he cried out in pain. Anger bubbled inside me. Fast as lightning, I stabbed the dracaena in the back and she immediately turned to dust. I rushed forward to Nico's side. He was gripping the part where the dracaena stabbed him. Annabeth and Percy started to run to Nico, but I stopped them. "Run to the car and get my backpack. Go!" I told Percy and Annabeth. I ran to Nico's side. As soon as Percy and Annabeth bolted towards the car, I got up all my willpower and talked to Nico. I forced him to take his hand off of the wound, push his shirt up (which was soaked with blood.), and I nearly fainted. "God, Nico, why didn't you tell me that the dagger was poisoned? I could've taken on that monster myself!" "I didn't want you to get hurt. I know that you're a powerful demigod from the moment I met you. That's why so many dangerous monsters are attacking us." He replied weakly, and then winced. "I'm sorry I did that to you. I didn't know what possessed me to flirt with that girl. I'm really sorry." "Oh, come on. You're not dying, and this is no time for last words, Nico di Angelo. Now, hold still." I told him. Then, I summoned the grass around Nico to wrap around his waist and clean out the poison. When the grass pulled back, he was still bleeding, but minus the poison. The grass even glowed with health. "Oh my Gods. How did you do that?" He asked, trying to sit up and winced. Percy burst into the area where we were. Percy tossed me my backpack. I pulled out bandages. "Who knows how to bandage a wound?" I asked, but no one answered. "Alright, looks like I'll be doing it by myself." I muttered. Nico took his shirt off, and I have to admit, I got pretty distracted, but I quickly shook out of my daze. I think Annabeth sensed something, and told Percy, "Come on, Perce. Let's get my backpack. I think I brought along some food." "But-"Percy tried to protest, but Annabeth cut him off. "Come on." She said, tugging at his hand. Percy finally agreed, following Annabeth, who gave me a wink just before they vanished in the trees. I started wrapping the white bandage around his waist. I didn't feel awkward at all seeing him shirtless; since I've seen my guy cousins like that. (Trust me, when you live in the Philippines and its summertime, you'd really want to go like that.) "So… I can't wear that shirt again, can I?" he asked, once I finished bandaging his wound. (Which was a half-inch deep, by the way.) "'Course not!" I said, and then reached for my pack. "What, so you gonna make me wear your clothes?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "No. I snuck into your cabin and took a shirt of yours, just in case." I pulled out a black shirt and tossed it to him. He slipped it on and said, "Nicely done." And then smiled. He was sitting up now. He motioned me to sit beside him and I did. Then, he took my hand. We held hands for a few seconds, and then he remarked, "You were amazing out there. She could've had a second strike if you didn't vaporize that dracaena. I would've died if it weren't for you." He smiled at me and I suddenly had an interest in my sneakers. "I couldn't let you die out t, can't I? I would never forgive myself if something happened to you." I replied. "Thanks. For everything. And I'm sorry that I hurt you back there." He said. I smiled. Everything was perfect, holding hands in the woods, all alone. We stared at each other for a while, and in between all that staring, I'm not gonna deny that I was tempted to lean in and kiss him, but I downsized the liplock to a peck on the cheek. I had to save it for the end of the quest. Then Percy and Annabeth came back with four packs of sandwiches and four canteens of water. "Lunch time." Percy said, and then smiled.

Nico's POV

Dylan is amazing. She's cute, she's brave, she's caring, and she's everything I could ever wish for. She even saved my life. We all devoured our sandwiches when I started to feel weak. Dylan was sitting next to me, and I guess she sensed that, because she pulled out a bag of ambrosia and shoved it into my mouth. I've never felt better. And when we stared at each other, I have to admit, I was tempted to kiss her, but somehow, I knew had to save it for the end of the quest. She even said that she won't let me die. Once we finished eating, of course we had to get on the road. It was a long walk back to the car, but I made it with the help of Dylan. The cut was sapping up my strength, and I was getting tired. Luckily, we reached the car just as I felt the urge to faint. I seated myself to the back seat with Dylan beside me. "You okay?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern. "I'm fine. I just need rest… and half of ambrosia square." I replied. In response, she handed me a pillow, pulled out a bag of ambrosia, broke one in half and fed it to me. I felt better, but I still needed some sleep. I made myself comfortable, and as soon as my head hit the pillow, I dozed off. That's when a nightmare entered my brain.

I was standing in a cave. I felt hot and humid, and there was a figure in green robes sitting on a rock. I turned around and behind me, a huge rock, covered in a combination of wheat shreds, tree branches, roots and thick vines. The figure cursed in Greek. "Polyphemus plans to marry me in a week! And I can't escape! I'm getting weaker and weaker everyday. And the island is getting revitalized using my power. Oh, I hope Dylan's on her way now." The woman said, who I already guessed is the Lady Demeter.

Then, my dream changed. I was at the underworld palace of my dad, with Queen Persephone beside him. My dad, Hades, paced the floor nervously. "Persephone, what if they get you? I can't just let you get out of the palace gates and interfere with Nico's quest." He said. "It's my mother we're talking about. If I don't go out and search for her, the world can suffer great hunger, you know." She replied. "Of course I know. Let's just let Nico and his friends save your mother." Hades said, obviously agitated. Persephone shrugged. "Fine. I'll go to my garden." She replied, getting up from her throne. Walked out of the room. A few minutes passed when a hair-raising scream echoed throughout the whole underworld. Cerberus started to bark, and when my dad looked out the palace balcony, he was too late. Persephone was gone, and he didn't have a chance to stop it.

Cliffy, right?