Madison's POV

I woke to something different under my head. It didn't feel like a pillow. I lifted my head and someone said:

"Morning Hothead."

I looked up to see Percy smiling down on me. That is when I realized that I was sleeping on his chest. My face heated up.

He gave a small laugh. "I'm guessing that you had a very good sleep last night."

"Uh… Ya…"

That is when the events from last night came flooding back.

Dream Flashback

My nightmare is finally alive.

I was looking over Camp Half-Blood, but everything was burning. I looked down at my body and saw that I was on fire. That is the moment that I realized that I had fully released the Phoenix. It is a dangerous state that I feel that I am not ready for. Sometimes it is very hard to control. I have never once released it fully.

I looked over the camp. Everything was on fire. My friends were burning to death. I tried to help, but I was frozen and the Phoenix seemed to be controlling me. It was supposed to be the other way around. I looked over at the Poseidon cabin and saw Percy reaching out for me.

"Why, Madison? Why did you do it?"

Then I saw Thalia. "We were sisters. How could you betray us?" She was engulfed in flames.

I screamed for both of them. A loud voice boomed. I knew it was Kronos. "Come, Phoenix. You belong to me now."

I couldn't control myself. I started to follow. I screamed again. Then I felt hands on my shoulders. I had control over my body again. I looked up and saw Percy.

"Everything is alright. You're safe."

I looked into his eyes, and then I looked back over at the Percy burning. At that moment, I knew this nightmare wasn't real.

End of Dream Flashback

We were heading to lunch and I felt a lot better today. Tyson walked ahead of Percy and me. Percy was right next to me.

We got our food and sat down. When everyone was in the room, Chiron made an announcement.

"A goddess will be coming to camp soon. We are not sure who it is, but none the less, be kind and respectful. They should be arriving shortly. That is all."

After a while everyone was done eating, but no one left the pavilion yet. As I was about to leave, I saw a bright light. I shielded my eyes and when I reopened them, I saw the Goddess of the Hunt standing there.

"Artemis!" I shouted and we both pulled in for a hug. Whenever I had problems, Artemis was always there to help guide me when I was little.

"It is good to see you child." She said giving me a warm smile. I gladly returned it.

We walked out of the pavilion and everyone was staring at us. Her hunters gave me a warm smile and a nod before they entered the pavilion and told everyone to not bother Lady Artemis and me and to continue on with their activities. I heard Percy ask what is going on and I heard murmurs of join Hunters… immortality… etc.

We went into the woods and headed towards Zeus's Fist. She motioned for me to sit next to her on the rock.

"Have you reconsidered my offer? I know you have denied it before, but it would be great to have my sister in the hunt with me."

Artemis was always like a sister to me just like Thalia.

"You know I can't, Artemis."

"I know the only reason isn't just because of who you are. You have the freedom to choose. I know there is a boy involved."

My face heated up. "What are you talking about?"

"Don't play dumb with me. I may not be Athena, but I CAN read you like a book. You are never good at hiding your feelings."

I looked down at my feet.

"How about you come on ONE mission with my Hunters and I and just see how you like it. After that, if you still deny the offer, I will accept your choice."

"I don't know."

"I will not take no for an answer."

"I'll go on one condition. I get to bring some friends along."

"Fine, but who?"

"Thalia, daughter of Zeus; Annabeth, daughter of Athena; Grover; a satyr so he can go out in the wild and continue his search for Pan; and um…" I knew she wasn't going to like my next answer.

"Well, who else child? I have a feeling I already know though."

"Percy, son of Poseidon."

She sighed. "I figured that boy would be a part of your condition. If it will get you to come on a hunt with me, then I will allow it. My Hunters may not be that happy with it though."

I gave her a hug and she told me to round them up because we leave in half an hour.

I talked to Annabeth and Thalia. They both agreed to come, but Thalia was still skeptical about it. She said she would only go because I asked. I went and talked to Grover. When I talked to him about going with Artemis, he had googly eyes and I knew he would agree if it meant doing something for Artemis. I rolled my eyes, typical Satyrs.

I headed to the archery range where the Poseidon cabin was scheduled to be next. I was supposed to be there, but I got a little side tracked. The Hunters were there as well making perfect shots as usual.

I saw Percy missing terribly. I shook my head. I walked up behind him.

"Seaweed Brain, you're holding it all wrong."

"Well Hothead, why don't you show me how it's done."

"Gladly", I said while snatching the bow and arrow from his hands. I took my perfect formation Artemis taught me and shot a perfect bulls-eye. Everyone at the range stopped shooting and stared at me. They didn't expect a sea creature to be able to even hit the target seeing as Percy almost took off Chiron's tail.

I smirked. "That's how it's done Seaweed Brain."

I turned to face him and his mouth was wide open in shock. I smirked. I looked at the Hunters and they gave me approving nods.

"You did join the Hunters, didn't you?" Percy whispered while looking down.

"What, Percy why would you ask me that? I turned down the offer multiple times. I love Artemis and the hunt, don't get me wrong, but it's just not my life. I have a different future ahead of me."

His face lit up and I shoved the bow and arrow into his chest for him to take.

"Now, show me your formation again."

"He lined up again and his hand in the front wasn't firm enough and his shoulder was too low. Also, his legs were too close together.

I kicked his back leg to separate them more and grabbed his front hand.

"Your legs were too close and your front hand needs to be more firm." I said and I looked up at his eyes and we stayed like that for a moment. I snapped out of it and let go of his front hand. "Also, your shoulder is too low. Keep your back straight and front hand firm on the grip."

"Like this?" He asked.

I smiled at him and nodded. "Perfect, now aim and fire." I said and watched as the arrow flew and landed on the target. It was only a few inches from the target.

"You did it!" I shouted. He was awestruck and a huge smile plastered on his face. He faced me and picked me up and spun me around in a hug. Once he set me down our eyes met for another long moment before a Zoë came up and told me that we were leaving in ten minutes. She gave me a long glare and looked a Percy for a second before headed back to cabin 8.

"What is she talking about? I thought you said you didn't join the hunt?" Percy asked with hurt in his eyes.

"I didn't join. Artemis wants to catch up with me and invited me to go on one hunt with her. I told her I would go on one condition."

He raised an eyebrow with curiosity. "What is the condition?"

"That I get to bring some friends. I already got Thalia, Annabeth and Grover coming. I'm just getting one more to come."

"We'll whose the lucky fourth?" He asked stepping closer.

"Well, I was thinking about asking Clarisse or maybe Silena from the Aphrodite cabin."

He looked hurt. I smirked.

"I'm just kidding Seaweed Brain. Of course it's you!" I gave him a playful punch on the arm.

He smiled that crooked grin of his.

"We leave soon so get everything you need."

He took off towards the cabin.

Once it was time to go, everyone met on the Hill. Tyson was also leaving so he came to say goodbye as well. He is going to work in Poseidon's Forge and make weapons. Once he left, the Hunters arrived. They kept giving Percy death glares. I pulled him aside.

"Percy, the Hunters are not going to like you coming along, but don't let that offend you. They took the oath and swore off boys so having you along is uncomfortable for them."

"Well, what about Grover?"

"He's a satyr. They don't count that."

He nodded. "Don't worry, they can't get to me. They can give me death stares as much as they want, but I'll just be enjoying my time with you…" I looked up at him and blushed. He realized what he said and blushed then quickly added, "And Grover, Annabeth, and Thalia too I mean."

I smiled at him. We rejoined the group. Zoë looked at me with a disapproving look. I just glared back.

Artemis came up behind me and put a hand on my shoulder. Before we go, Hunters, do not bother Madison or her friends." When she said friends, she was mostly gesturing towards Percy. i looked at Percy, but he didn't seem to notice that Artemis was talking about him mostly.

We headed off into the woods. I stayed by Artemis's side mostly and Percy stayed at my other. The rest followed closely behind.

We have been wondering the woods for a good couple of hours and haven't hunted anything too big.

Finally we heard rustling in the woods and a big Hellhound jumped out of the bush. We stayed hidden as it tried to sniff us out. The Hunters lined their bows, but Artemis motioned for them to stop. She handed me her bow. Her one and only bow that she never let anyone used and had since the day she was born.

"Let's see what you got." She whispered to me.

I took the bow and did a roll and tuck into a bush a few feet closer to the beast. I made a small opening in the bush and positioned myself and the arrow perfectly like I was taught. I waited a few seconds to find the perfect angle of the beast to hit. As it turned its head towards where everyone else was hiding, I shot a volley of arrows at it.

It howled in pain and turned to face me. It tried to pounce, but I side-stepped and aimed my arrows at its unprotected belly. I shot and it howled in pain before it fell to the ground and turned to dust.

Everyone came out of hiding and Artemis gave me a proud smile. I handed her back her bow. She took it and said:

"You never seem to disappoint me."

"I had a great teacher."

She smiled again and we continued on.

We came to a clearing and decided to camp her for the night. It was near a boarding school called Westover Hall.

Artemis got her own tent, the Hunters split up into five different tents, Percy and Grover share one, and Annabeth, Thalia, and I share one.

I was lying in my sleeping bag and it seemed Thalia and Annabeth were already asleep. I couldn't sleep for two reasons:

I was afraid the nightmare would return without Percy here

I smelt something like demigods, powerful ones

I put the thoughts behind. I probably smelled Thalia and Percy, but I have been around them before and smelt this. It was too late to investigate. I decided I would talk to the others in the morning about it and see if Grover smelt anything as well.

I laid down and dozed off.

Percy's POV

I woke to a scream and one person popped into my mind, 'Madison'. I raced out of the tent and Grover was right behind me. The Hunters were gathered around her tent. I made my way through and went into the tent. Madison was still sleeping, but burning up with heat. It was her nightmare. Artemis was trying to wake her, but nothing was working. The only other people in here were Thalia, Annabeth, Grover, me, and Zoë. Artemis motioned for all of us to go out of the tent. Once we all exited, she came out.

"Nothing is working. I can't seem to wake her. I have no idea what is going on. It is like she is under a trance and I don't know how to brake it.

"I do." I spoke up. All eyes turned to me.

"How could you possibly know, you're just a stupid boy…"

I cut her off. "We both stay in the Poseidon cabin and she has these nightmares a lot. I'm the only one who can wake her."

"Let the boy go in." Artemis demanded. They parted to create a path in the middle for me. I walked up to the tent hearing multiple screams. I walked in and saw Madison. I walked up to her and picked her up bridal style and cradled her. The screaming stopped and she started to cool off. Her temperature went down and I knew she would wake up any minute. She woke, but still had panic in her eyes. I told her everything would be okay. She didn't seem to believe what I said.

I carried her outside and she didn't let go of my shirt. Artemis motioned me to follow her. We walked into her tent. She told me to lay her on her bed and I did. I sat down next to Madison and she sat up next to me with her knees tucked under her chin.

Artemis gave her a drink which seemed to cool her off more.

"Madison, you need to tell us what you saw and why Percy is the only one who can wake you. It is the only way to help you."

She sighed. "I guess I have to tell you everything now."

She went on to explain the dream I had about who is messing with her dreams and then she told about the events on how I was the only one who could wake her. We both blushed when she mentioned I had to stay in bed with her to keep the nightmares away. Then, she told us her biggest fear.

"I don't want to hurt anyone. I don't want to lose control." She finished with tears streaming down. I pulled her into a hug and told her everything will be alright.

"You would never do such a thing. You have been training all your life. You are the best person for the Phoenix, that's why it chose you as its host. It knows that you are ready and so do I." I finished.

She looked up at me and smiled. I wiped away the tears from her face with my hand. I completely forgot that Artemis was in here with us until she spoke up.

"I see. I don't know what I can do yet, but I will do all I can to help." She kept looking me up and down as if studying me. I felt uncomfortable, but I kept comforting Madison. She was really shaken up.

Zoë came in and Artemis asked to take Madison outside. She said she wanted to speak to me alone. I let go of Madison and wrapped the blanket she was sitting on around her. She muttered a 'thank you' and Zoë looked between Madison, Artemis and I before leading Madison outside.

I turned to Artemis. She kept giving me that strange look.

"You care a lot about Madison, don't you?"

"O… of course I do. She's my best friend."

"I'm not trying to sound like Aphrodite, but it seems to be more than that and I can see it. I have sworn off boys you know."

"Of course I know."

"How did you feel when you found out I offered Madison a spot in my Hunters?"

"Uh…"

"Let me guess… Disappointed and angry at the same time."

"Well, yes but…"

"No buts, you take care of my sister or I'll take care of you got it. You do not want me on your bad side, understand?"

I gulped. "Y… Ya, but I would never hurt her."

She smiled. "I see that. You took good care of her. You seem different than most boys I have encountered; I will be keeping an eye on you."

I nodded my head saying I understood.

I walked outside and was met by a bunch of stares from the Hunters. They were all whispering and Zoë was telling them all something. I kept walking. I saw Madison talking to Grover.

I walked up and they both smiled at me.

"What's going on?" I asked.

Madison replied. "Both Grover and I smelt some powerful demigods nearby. We assume it is at the boarding school called Westover Hall. We were planning on going to check it out; Just me, Grover, you, and Thalia. Annabeth decided to stay at camp while the Hunters go hunt, just in case we come back before them. She didn't want to go. We tried talking her into it, but she said she wanted time alone to think, so we are giving her space."

I nodded my head in agreement. Thalia came up and asked if we were all ready to go.

We all nodded. She told us she already told Artemis that we are going to check the school out for the demigods so we can bring them to camp.

We headed off.

We entered the school and read a sign that said 'School dance in gym'.

We looked for the gym and when we rounded a corner, we came face-to-face with two adults.

"Are you two students here?" Asked a buff looking lady. The man next to her kept giving us strange glances and I saw Madison and Grover stiffen.

Madison stepped forward and snapped her fingers. "Of course we are, don't you remember?"

The lady looked confused for a second. The man turned to the lady. "Have you seen these students before?" He asked her.

"Yes, I believe I have. Well, then what are you doing out of the dance?"

Thalia spoke up. "We got lost and can't find the gym. Can you help us?"

The lady pointed to a door around the corner. We nodded our heads and took off.

"What was that with the snap thing?" I asked Madison.

"It's called manipulating the mist. You can change what mortals see to your benefit."

"Where did you learn that?"

"Thalia taught me when she learned it from Chiron."

Thalia had a proud smile on her face.

"I'll teach it to you later Seaweed Brain."

I smiled now.

We entered the gym and saw a bunch of people dancing. It could take forever to find the demigods.

"Over there." Bothe Madison and Grover said at the same time. I spoke too soon. There was a boy and a girl sitting on the bleachers. The girl looked slightly older and I could tell they were brother and sister. The boy was younger and playing a weird card game.

"This should be easy. There are no monsters around." I said.

"No, Percy, there is a monster. The man we met in the hall." I paled. He definitely saw through her mist thing.

"We need to keep a low profile until something happens."

We all nodded to what Madison said. Thalia grabbed Grover and said: "Come on Goat boy, if we are to keep a low profile then let's dance."

She took off dragging Grover. I looked at Madison and she was rubbing her arm nervously. "You wanna dance?" I asked her.

She looked up at me, smiled, and then nodded her head. I grabbed her hand and a slow dance came on. Both our faces went bright red.

We started to dance like we did at my coronation. I could stay like this forever, but Madison jerked her head up and said that the kids were gone. She ran to go find Thalia and Grover. I was about to follow, but there was no time. We had to get to the kids.

I ran out of the gym and saw the two kids cowering in the corner. I told them I wasn't going to hurt them, but they pointed at something behind me and muttered 'trap'.

I turned and saw the man from earlier.

"Dr. Thorn, please stop." The girl pleaded while comforting her brother.

"Why, when I have the Son of the Sea God in my presence. The general will be pleased with my capture. Three demigods in one." He smirked. I charged him with riptide and he dodged my blade. I felt a sharp pain in my shoulder.

"My poison only hurts my victim, it doesn't kill." Come demigods and if you try anything, I won't hesitate to kill you."

We were lead outside to a cliff. I hoped Thalia, Grover and Madison get here soon. All of a sudden a helicopter showed up.

"This is our ride. Get on the ladder demigods." I tried to stall.

"What do you want with us?"

"You three will be a perfect addition to our army."

"I'll never join you!"

That's when a fireball struck Thorn in the head. It sent him flying backwards and he roared in pain.

"Seaweed Brain, you couldn't wait?" Madison charged again.

Thalia pulled out Aegis and her sword. Grover started playing his reed pipes. I grabbed riptide and we all charged to help Madison. Arrows were being fired from the helicopter, but Madison shot it down with another flamethrower. I was facing off with Thorn until arrows came out of the woods. Annabeth came running out with her knife and the Hunters followed.

I turned my back on Thorn for a second to check on Madison, but I couldn't find her. Thorn charged at me, but Madison attacked him from behind and torched his head. He couldn't see anything and he fell backwards over the cliff sending Madison with him.

"NO!" I screamed. I ran to the edge of the cliff, but couldn't find them anywhere. Artemis came up behind me and put a hand on my shoulder.

She took the girl, who was apparently Bianca, to her tent to 'talk' and left her brother Nico, alone with Grover, Annabeth and Thalia.

I couldn't let Bianca join the Hunters and leave her brother. I walked into Artemis's tent and tried to stop her, but it was too late. She left the tent looking mentally stronger. I sat on the floor and sighed.

Artemis came up and told me that we will find her.

We both came out of the tent and she told her Hunters that they will be going back to camp with us. They all groaned.

All of a sudden a red convertible pulled up in the valley and out popped a very bright man with perfect, shiny teeth.

"Hello little sister, you called?"

That's when I knew it was Apollo.

"I need you to give my hunters and the others a ride to camp, I must go hunt alone."

"Sure dear sister," he replied. "This calls for a Haiku." All the Hunters rushed up to him and clamped his mouth shut with their hands.

After they all were sure he wasn't going to do his poem, they let go and he turned towards his car and it turned into a bus. We all piled in and headed off to camp.