Heyy heyy! First off, I'd like to thank my biggest follower of this story so far: Ruby Remembrance! You are amazing and have stuck with me through this whole story. I really appreciate it, and so I dedicate this chapter to you.

Disclaimer: Me: I do NOT own PJO!

Connor: (eating a taco) Hey Nana.

Me: Umm, Connor? How'd you get that taco?

Connor: Stole it from Nico.

Nico: Give me back my taco!!!

Me: Niiiiice.........

Chapter Six

The Quest Begins

The amount of sleep I got the night before the quest is about equivalent to the chances of the Stoll brothers never pulling shenanigans again. Yep, that's right. No sleep for Coopie-Pie. I woke up to my alarm blaring in my ear. I searched angrily for the off button, then dressed and packed my backpack: some ambrosia and nectar, Medea's SPF 5000 sunscreen, some snacks, bottled water, and an extra dagger just in case. My sword was, of course, around my neck. Trying not to disturb Pollux, I slipped on my Converse and tiptoed out the door.

When I met the gang in front of Thalia's tree, I could tell we had all had a rough night. The only one that was really wide awake was Alvin, although not with excitement. Because Percy was eighteen and the oldest, he drove the camp van. Getting seated and buckling seat belts, Percy asked, "Where to?"

"San Francisco," I replied groggily. Soon after, I fell asleep.

I'd been told about demigod dreams and their significance and even had a few of my own. This one was especially heartbreaking.

I was in an immense field, much like the one in my previous dream. But it wasn't the same. People weren't screaming, weren't crying, weren't in pain. It was..........peaceful. The Isle of the Blest. Hero territory. I scanned the crowd, finding such heroes as Theseus, Achilles, and Perseus (Her last dream was inaccurate. The heroes are sent to the Isle of the Blest. Oops.). Some were strikingly familiar, while others were complete strangers to me.

Looking to the left, I found a boy siting n front of a ghostly figure. The boy was still very much alive and had shaggy black hair with onyx eyes. Nico. The shade spoke softly to the boy. As I examined Nico better, I found a few tears dripping from his face.

"Child, you are not alone. You know this. You are loved."

"By you and Bianca," the boy stated shakily. "Not dad."

The woman lifted Nico's chin. "Your father cares very much about you."

"My father hates me," Nico said spitefully. "He wouldn't care if I was killed. He'd see me anyway." He lowered his head again.

"Nico, look at me," the shade ordered softly. He obeyed. "Your father cares. He just doesn't show these things well."

Another tear spilled over Nico's left cheek. "I don't know what to do, Mama........."

"I'm afraid that's something you'll have to figure out on your own. Now, I must go." She kissed her son on the forehead.

"Please don't go, Mama! I need you......."

"You're a strong boy. Be strong for me?" Nico reluctantly nodded. The woman smiled, then disappeared, leaving Nico with tears streaming down his face. "I love you, Mama."

"COOP!!!" I nearly jumped ten feet in the air at Annabeth's voice.

"Yeah?" I asked wearily.

"Are you okay?" Alvin questioned.

I nodded my head. "Yeah............why wouldn't I be?"

"Because you were crying and saying, 'No. Don't him on his own. He needs you,'." I blushed.

"Oh. Sorry."

"You had a dream," Nico said, more a statement than a question. "What was it about?"

"You." I went even redder. He began to turn a light shade of pink himself.

"What happened?"

"Well, you were talking to your mom in the Isle of the Blest, hoping she'd help you with your dad. Apparently, she just made things more confusing."

"Oh............" It grew quiet, and stayed that way for the next three hours.

That is, until we met some unhappy campers.

Well, did you like this chapter? Too short? Review please!