I want to thank all of you for the reviews and alerts and favorites. Seriously, I love you guys! And to all those who said that you all love Nico, BACK OFF HE'S MINE!

Erm, that came out wrong…I meant to say…um…Oh look! There's a disclaimer! …oh, I already used this? Then… Uh… Then what I really meant to say was… OMGODS! NICO'S RIGHT OVER THERE! *everyone looks one way* *I run the other way*

Disclaimer: I own nothing. I only own my (already stated) invisible red Porsche convertible that I love and can go 100 miles over the speed limit without getting caught.

Percy POV

I woke up to Nico screaming in my ear.

What a great way to wake up.

Well, that was my first thought. My second was: Oh my gods! The plane is falling! I'm going to diiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiie!

I wasn't in a deep sleep so I woke up almost immediately.

"What? Who? Where?" I stuttered jumping out of the chair. That was a mistake. I immediately felt queasy and had to sit back down. I hate being airsick.

I heard the echo of feet running toward Nico and I. Thalia was first. Obvious since she was right across form where we were sitting.

"Are you guys all…" She trailed off. Normally I would've asked why she didn't finish, throwing in a bit of name calling in the mix (Pinecone Face!), but I didn't need to. I was practically speechless as well. But because my tongue isn't always connected to my brain, I spoke anyway. I just wasn't sure whether to laugh or continue staring in awe/fear.

"Nico... Your… Your face."

There was dead silence, but I didn't need to look behind me to know that everyone was standing there, staring at Nico's face.

"My face to?" Nico cried. "Who did this?" He turned to face us, showing us his nails.

I suppose the good thing was that whoever did it was very good at drawing tiny skulls. They got the color almost perfect to. Nico's nails were black with white skulls pained on each fingernail. The skulls were a perfect white/grey color. Then on his face was… Makeup. His eyes had a dark purple powdery stuff. I think it's called eye color, or eye shadow or something like that. His lips were a bright red color, which stood out on his somehow even paler skin. Whoever did this, I hate to admit, was amazing. But that doesn't mean Nico looked good. I finally decided what I should do. Apparently Thalia had the same idea. At the same time, we busted out in hysterics. Yep, we were laughing at out cousin. You would have to! I wish I had a camera! This would be the perfect blackmail!

"Guys!" Nico whined. "This is not funny!"

"Oh yes it is, Death Boy!" Thalia said while continuing to laugh.

"Quick! Who has a camera?" My sides ached from all this laughter.

Suddenly the atmosphere changed. I didn't need to look at Nico to know he narrowed his eyes at someone.

"You," he growled.

I almost asked, "Who?" when the person answered.

"What? Why are you looking at me?" It was Bobby.

"I know you did this." I glanced at Nico. It was obvious he really wanted to get out of the chair and strangle Bobby. Too bad we're still in the air.

"So what if I did?" Bobby shrugged nonchalantly. "It's not like you can get out of the chair. You're just a big baby." He said the last part and I know it was directed at me to. I narrowed my eyes as well and this time, he looked a little bit scared. And even though he couldn't see it, out of the corner of my eye I saw Thalia narrow her eyes to. I knew what she was thinking. No one messes with her cousins except her. Honestly, I'm touched. I didn't know she cared that much. I'm not being sarcastic. It's just the way the Big Three Kids roll; we love each other so much, but we show it by violence and embarrassing one another.

Wait, what we were talking about again? Oh right… I hate planes.

Just then, as if the gods were sending us a sign, the pilot voice over the intercom came on, "So guys, we have arrived at your destination. Athens, Rome. Great place. You can get off the plane in about fifteen minutes." The intercom crackled. I'm guessing he sighed, "I would ask you to sit down, but seeing as how your demigods, that would just be pointless." He's right.

Now Bobby looked really scared. I remember his comment about being a baby. My angered flared, but before I had the chance to get up, Nico literally tackled Bobby straight from his chair. Thalia, seeing Nico tense his muscles, was wise enough to move out of the way, but the others weren't so lucky. Except Dakota who was standing farthest from Bobby, who was in the center.

And that's how Nico and Bobby got in their second fight in under twenty-four hours. Nico was shouting some pretty nasty Greek words at Bobby while Bobby was probably doing the same in Latin. They were chasing each other around, occasionally punching and kicking. Nobody interfered until Nico drew his sword.

"Whoa Nico!" I jumped out of the chair (not feeling queasy this time) and ran to break them apart. Everyone followed me. I grabbed Nico's sword hand while Thalia grabbing his other arm to help hold him back. I watched as Dakota and Gwen held Bobby's hands while Jason stepped between both sides.

"You guys need to cut this out. First in the ally and now here? You to have obvious problems with each other and you need to forget about them. And I mean forget about them now. Apollo has given us a quest that we must fulfill and we need to do it as a team. So calm yourselves and stop behaving like children." I noticed that when Jason spoke, the other Roman kids listened intently. Bobby even looked slightly ashamed. I wonder if I speak with that much authority... Jason then turned to Nico, "You need to put that sword away."

Nico bristled, "You can't tell me what to do!"

I resisted the urge to smack him. Children of Hades and their stupid egos… Fortunately, I can usually get Nico to listen to me. Hopefully he'll actually do what I ask him…unlike last time. Please let this work.

I stepped in front of Nico so I was also in the middle. "But I can. And Jason's right. Nico, put that sword away," I waited, but Nico just glared at me. "Nico put that sword away before I make you put that sword away." Nico mumbled something about 'not being scared' and 'stupid Percy' before twisting his ring causing his sword to vanish in a cloud of black smoke. He was still glaring at me, but at least he listened. I feel so accomplished right now! Annabeth would be proud- Ack! Wrong time, Percy! Concentrate! I took a deep breath to refocus my scattered mind. "Okay guys," I felt more like myself now that I knew the plane was grounded, "We need to find a place to get food and make a plan. Anyone ever been to Athens before?" Gwen raised her hand. I grinned, "Okay, Gwen, lead the way."

Xx~oOo~xX

Gwen POV

It took about ten minutes to wash the makeup completely off Nico's face, but Thalia and I were finally able to do it. Then came the nails. That took about fifteen minutes, but finally, Nico looked normal. We walked out of the bathroom with Nico still glaring at Percy, who was laughing along with Dakota and Jason. Bobby just stood there with his arms folded across his chest and scowling.

"Okay," Jason tried to keep a straight face, "So Nico, Bobby will apologize, if you-" He couldn't finish he was laughing so hard. Percy couldn't open his mouth without another wave of laughter coming out, so Dakota tried to speak.

"If you promise not to attack him anymore."

"But he started it!" Nico protested. After Thalia glared at Nico, he backtracked, "I mean, I promise not to attack you anymore without valid cause. I swear it on the River Styx." Thunder could be heard. Nico didn't look too happy about it. "Okay, you're turn."

"I'm sorry," Bobby mumbled.

"No, Bobby," Percy said, "Just like we practiced.

Bobby sighed. "I hate you guys," he mumbled. "Okay fine. I'm sorry that my little sister makes me do her nail every week. I'm sorry I got so good. I'm sorry I painted your nails. And I'm especially sorry for provoking you."

Nico just sighed, "Okay."

Bobby cocked his head in confusion, "You're not going to say 'I forgive you'?"

Nico looked thoughtful. "No."

Bobby looked as though he would protest again, but Thalia said, "Trust me. That's one of his better apologies."

Percy nodded with Nico grinned mischievously. I decided to speak up before we were hear for another hour.

"Okay guys, I know where we should go. You ready?" They all nodded. "Follow me!"

One Hour Later

I lead the group to my favorite little restaurant in the country part of Athens. It was owned by my Uncle (my mom's dad) and his wife. In fact, this was where my mom met my dad. She was singing in this dinner. She wasn't Carrie Underwood or anything, but she was still pretty good. Unfortunately, I am not. Seriously, you do not want to hear me sing. But if you wanted to hear the piano, the guitar, or even the piccolo, I'm you're girl.

Where was I? Oh yeah…

The whole time we were walking to the restaurant, Little Ray of Apollo it was called. I think that's what caught my dad's attention. After all, my dad is Apollo. It was named after him. My Uncle thought 'Little Ray of Sunshine' was just too… Well, his exact words were 'stupid' however, I prefer the term 'unoriginal.'

Ugh, stupid ADHD.

So as I was saying, as I lead the way to the restaurant, I kept replaying in my head the scene in the jet. Jason's praetor, so him stepping up to break Bobby and Nico apart wasn't so surprising. And I know that I said Percy seemed like the leader. But I meant in that group. Inside the jet, Percy seemed…like more of an authority. He suddenly changed from 'a bit clueless' to 'I am in charge, you will do what I say or I'll clobber you.' Though he still seemed kind. It was kinda like Jason actually. Firm and scary, yet nice and fun. Reyna could never be like this…

"Are we there yet?"

I sighed, "Not since you asked five minutes ago, Bobby."

"But my feet hurt!"

I heard a snort. I turned to see Nico mutter, "Baby."

"How do you know this place?" This time it was Dakota.

"My uncle. He moved here about fifty years ago when he married his wife, Cleo. I've visited him for two weeks every summer since I was a baby."

"Cool."

It was silent for a moment. I watched the Greeks out of the corner of my eye. Okay, I watched Percy. Now that he wasn't leading or stopping a fight, he seemed like a normal teenager with normal problems. I have a hunch that the next time there's a fight he'll go back to the authority attitude. His eyes will get that fire in them and…well, I saw him fighting that Manticore and let me tell you, that was scary. And I didn't see the whole thing; I was fighting that thing to.

"Is that it?"

Speak of the devil… "Yep. Percy, everyone, this is my uncle's little restaurant, Little Ray of Apollo."

"Little Ray of Apollo? That's ironic," Thalia began laughing.

I still felt a little uncomfortable with her. She did try to kill me, but I'm trying to stay positive. For one, she didn't kill me. For two, I talked with her for a bit on the jet. She's kinda cool. Lieutenant of Artemis? Come on, that's awesome. I couldn't see a problem, so I laughed with her.

"Yeah. It's actually where my mom met Apollo." I opened the door, "Hey Eddie!" I waved to the cashier, "Where's Uncle Nate and Aunt Cleo?"

In bad English, Eddie answered, "Out. Need… More tomatoes." He pronounced it like 'toe-MA-toes.'

I laughed, "Okay. We'll be upstairs!" I waved everyone up the stairs where the house is. We went to my room.

After we all go situated, Nico's stomach growled. Then Percy's and Jason's. Then Thalia's.

"Better make this quick," Percy said. "I'm starving! And that food smells so good!" He sniffed the air and moaned. "Anyone got a plan?"

"Wait, you don't?" Maybe I was wrong. Maybe he isn't the leader. I know Jason and Reyna always have plans.

Percy shrugged with Nico and Thalia laughed. "Of coursed he doesn't!" Thalia snickered, "They're always horrible!"

"They never work out as he plans," Nico chimed in, "He normally just wings it."

"Way to make me sound so great guys," Percy pouted. But Thalia gave him a shoulder nudge and he broke out into a grin.

"I think I might have an idea,"

Oh great…

"Dakota," Bobby was rolling his eyes, "No offense, but you're ideas are stupid."

Dakota shrugged, "You could still hear it."

Jason gave me a look that said, Here we go again…

"What's the worst that can happen?" Percy mused.

Dakota hiccupped, "What if we search for the monster the same way that people search for lost pets?"

And there it was. Dakota's big genius plan.

"That's actually a good idea."

I was shocked to see it was Thalia that spoke. Noticing everyone gapping (including Dakota) at her, she hurried on, "I mean, if we listen to the rumors and ask people if anything strange has been going on, we might get a clue as to what and where this creature is."

Jason and Percy nodded. I found that kinda creepy.

"What's the prophecy again?" They asked at the same time. I found that very creepy. They both looked at each other in a bit of a shock, but recovered quickly.

"Seven shall go across the sea/Greek and Roman they shall be/Find the creature of both day and night/And destroy it before it can bite. /For this creature is like no other/And it will prey on those with friends you call brothers/So beware and take heed/This creature is not like you and me." Bobby said.

Nico rolled his eyes at Bobby's memory, but didn't say anything.

"Maybe we should pack some stuff before we leave?" Thalia suggested.

"Maybe we should eat before we leave," Percy said hopefully.

I laughed. "We can do both, follow me guys!"