"...Nico… I've heard Percy and the others talk about you…" Micah said as he set him down. Nico brushed himself off.

"Sorry, I… I thought you were a monster." Micah explained, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Don't worry about it, I would have done the same thing in your position." Nico forgave.

"Can we get to the group though, its kinda urgent." he asked. In a split second they were back with the group. Hazel was the first to notice, tears in her eyes.

"Nico… Oh my gods, NICO!" she cried, lunging at him to give him a hug. He stood unmoving, then smirked and hugged her back.

"Geez, miss me much?" he playfully chided. She stepped back and gave him an angry look.

"Nico, you're my brother! You were gone for 4 months, without calling or anything! Of course I missed you!!" She said, hugging him again.

"I was worried sick!" she added. He held her tighter.

"You knew I wasn't dead." he tried. She punched him in the arm, then sat back down if a huff as everyone else got up and greeted their old friend. Ever since they had put Mother Earth to sleep, Nico had been seldom seen. He would appear every once in a while just to check in, but other than that he wasn't around. Then, about 4 months ago, he simply… vanished. Percy, Annabeth, Hazel… everyone had tried to get in contact with him, to no avail. He was just… gone. Now, here he was, just as swiftly as he had vanished.

"Nico, man… you had us worried sick, dude!" Percy said, giving him a hug. Annabeth analyzed him carefully. He had changed quite a bit, much more than she ever thought possible in just 4 months. His hair was longer, almost reaching his shoulders, his arms and upper body were much more… defined. He still looked tired, but still… less. He seemed to carry less of a burden than she had seen in quite a while. Micah just stared at him, a look of deep thought on his face.

"We've met before, Nico." he finally said. Nico looked at him in confusion.

"It was 2 years ago, California. You were being attacked by some 3 headed dog, if I recall. Almost got your head bit off." He elaborated. Nico's eyes got huge.

"You're the guy that rescued me from the hell hound?!?" Nico asked surprisedly, then realized.

"Oh my gods! It is you!! Wow, what are the odds?" Nico said as energetically as a Nico could. Micah nodded.

"So, how'd you find us?" Leo asked. Nico seemed to remember why he was there.

"Right. Um, I came to warn you. I've been trying to tell you guys for a while, but…" Nico looked around incredulously.

"He's got eyes everywhere. I've been secretly gathering information for months. It takes quite a presence to make the dead afraid. Something huge is coming, from deep within Tartarus." Nico explained. They all looked at one another, traces of fear in their eyes.

"That's not all" Nico continued. "I was informed by a trusted source that this prophecy, this eldest prophecy; it holds the key to the very survival of our world. Whatever it says you have to do, do it." Nico stood up, and faced them, smiling.

"Well, I better get going. I've done my job. I'll see you guys around." he said, turning away. Micah placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Actually, I was thinking you stick around for awhile. How would you like to join us on our unwinnable mission?" Micah asked. Nico turned back in surprise, looking at the group.

"Nico, you've already proven yourself in battle after battle. You've got enough skill to survive out in the world on your own, and believe me, I know that takes something special. The prophecy we received said that, me, the 7, and 3 more will together stand and face the greatest evil our world has ever known. Look, I'm just here to protect my new family, whatever the cost. I'd like you to be a part of that family, Nico" Micah finished. The rest of the group nodded in agreement. Nico sighed and smiled, sitting down and putting his feet up.

"Kay. I'm in." He said nonchalantly. Everyone beamed, and Micah sat back down next to him.

"Well then, welcome to our Squad." he said. Just then, the 'please fasten your seatbelt' sign lit up. The plane was about to take off, and they all couldn't be happier. They had just gained an old friend to help tackle a new threat, and they felt more powerful already.

*BREAK*

Micah woke up that night sweating like crazy, and feeling extremely sick.

'Why? Why me?' he thought. He stood up and stumbled towards the restroom. And who should come out but Reyna.

'The Fates must have a sense of humor.' Micah mentally groaned. Not that he didn't like Reyna, that couldn't be less true. It's just that he was tired of her having to witness him at his weakest all the time. But it was too late for that now, as he could already see the look of worry all over her face.

"Mike…" she began

"Im.. Im fine, Rey, just a little airsick." he forced a small smile. She didn't buy it for a second, but slid past him and headed for her seat.

"If you need anything…" she whispered. He nodded then darted into the tiny restroom. As soon as he had locked the door, he looked in the mirror. Something was off, he could feel it. He felt way too weak, like something was sucking the life out of him. He pulled off his shirt, and unwrapped the bandage Reyna had applied. He could feel his heart stop when he saw the wound. From the initial cut, tiny spider web-like black veins weaved out in all directions. The wound itself was a sickly black-purple, and was still sore. He touched it, and looked at the fluid on his hand. It was pitch black as well. There was only one explanation.

'Poison. Dang it.' Micah growled. He put his shirt back on, the stepped out of the restroom. He looked over at his friends, then recalled Zeus' note. They were needed asap; no time for deteurs. This could wait. It had to wait. He worked his way back to his seat, and gingerly sat down next to Reyna. She looked over and smiled, placing hand on his.

"You ok? Nightmares again?" she asked softly. Micah smiled.

"Not yet. Night Reyna." he answered, leaning back in the seat and closing his eyes. Reyna slowly slipped her hand out of his. She was about to go to sleep, when she felt something on her hand. She used her phone's flashlight, and examined the slippery substance. It was black, but felt like blood. Cautiously, she brought it up to her nose and sniffed it.

'Poison…' She thought, 'But.. how did…' she stopped herself in realization. She looked over at Micah, then back at her hand. They were going to have one heck of a talk in the morning. And not the good kind.