Author's Note: (It's a bird! It's a plane! What are you, dense? It's a flippin' Author's note!) It's chapter nine, and we all know what that means. It's one chapter away from having the slightest significance as an accomplishment! Since this is my first story and all, I'll get to celebrate something that really doesn't make any difference most sane people. But I guess I should shut up now. *Sigh* I'll go sit in my "dunce" corner...

Oh, and I haven't done one of these so; DISCLAIMER: The Author of the story below does not own FanFiction, the Percy Jackson series, Ricky Martin's Living La Vida Loca, Pepto Bismo, or any products/ characters mentioned in this story, or their merchandising rights. (Exculeding Max Mercury, Rose Charis, and Jerry Charis).

Oh and by the way, I've been pronouncing Charis; Chair-is, insted of Sha-ree, like I've been told by my friends is the correct way to say it. But it doesn't matter since it's a last name, right? Just letting you know that's how it's intended to sound.

Max didn't expect for Nico not to show. When Max first saw Nico, he thought Nico looked a little out of it. He figured that was just because of all the asprins he took, but there was still something that bugged him about how Nico acted. Nico had this weird look in his eye. Like, he was trying to figure Max out. Max hadn't even figured Max out. His friends had always told him, that he was a wild card. A genuine soul that steps out of the line that is the rest of the world. Never quite in tune with everyone else. Last Christmas, he had been claimed by Hades and it all started to make sense. He was still discovering himself, and wasn't quite ready to let most of the world in. It was all so new to him. But a younger brother. He figured that Nico would understand his confusion. He even thought that maybe, sinse Nico had had more time to adjust, that he would be able to help him understand himself. But the way Nico had looked at him, like he was a threat, was a red flag in his mind. Nico imeadetly didn't trust him, that's what Max thought. But he thought that if he opened himself up to him, that Nico would change his mind. But he didn't even show.

This made Max a little angry at first. It was as if he wasn't even worth the time. But he managed to hold off his first instict to hold it against Nico, by thinking of how Nico was the answer to his confusion, and how he needed him. He would find a way to get Nico to trust him. They were brothers after all. How hard could it be?

Rose missed Nico. She missed him like Hades. His laugh, his crooked smile, his mannerisums ... she just missed him. She had thouht everything through a thousand times. He did act like a jerk sometimes, but he tried. That was something he always did for her. He always at least tried to be that sweet, caring guy he thought Rose liked. It wasn't in his nature. He was Nico di Angelo. Son of Hades. King of Ghosts. It was his first instict to be cold and evil, but he'd managed to stop that all for her. He put on a crooked grin and pretended like acting like that was his way, around her. Rose realized how deep his love must've been for him to fight his every instict to be with her.

She sighed. What have I done? Why did I put my poor Gum Drop, not to mention myself, through so much pain? Gods, if I ever see him again, I'll never let him go. But ... by now (It's been around two weeks) he's probably found some one else. I miss him.

She was staring out the window of her bedroom, thinking of all the things Nico had done for her, and the things that drove her crazy that he did. (In a bad way). "Hey, Rosey? I was thinking that today we could- Uh, Rosey? What's wrong?" Mr. Charis said, when he saw the sad expression on his daughter's face.

"Nothing." Rose murmered.

Mr. Charis softened. "Look, uh, Rosey I'm no good at this kinda thing, but I reckon it's just a passing phase. You'll be over it in a couple of days."

Rose looked back with cold, hard eyes. "You don't even care, do you? You always hated Nico, just because his dad's Hades. Just because you lost Grandma when you were five, doesn't mean you can take it out on Nico! He's a good guy! And ... And I love him! So, you either get used to us o-or get out of my life!" Rose screamed. Tears formed in her eyes.

"Rose, I ..." His face hardened. "I forbid you to see him any longer."

"It's not your choice anymore! I'm going to find him, and tell him I love him, and you can't stop me!"

"Oh yes I can! You are grounded for the rest of the summer! If you even set foot out of this house, you'll be grounded for life!" Mr. Charis threatned in his heavy country accent.

"You can't be watching every minute. And when you're back is turned for even a second, I'm leaving to find Nico. There's nothing you can do." Rose stated, tears streaming down her cheeks. She slammed the door in his face.

"Rosey! Rosey! Rose, open this door this instant! I-" He sighed. How had things gone so wrong? It was all that di Angelo boy's fault, he thought. He went over to a picture on the wall. It was a picture of him as a young boy, with his father, brother Cyrus, and mother. A happy family. Taken away from him by a freak accident. After his mother passed, his father became hard, an blamed young Jeremiah for the death. Over time they became disdant, and now, they pretended as if the other didn't exist. Hades had done that. And Jerry wasn't about to let her daughter ruin their family. (Look, I know it doesn't make much sense, but he doesn't. He's blinded by his hatred for death. Cut him a break for being sort of stupid).

Training like that was the one of the hardest things they had ever done, and that's saying something. They didn't get much time to rest. Only four hours a night. And ever since Percy bathed in the Styx, he was supposed to get more sleep than a regular person, but four hours was all Chiron said they could afford. It had been going on like this for a whole mounth, and it wasn't pretty. Their skin paled (Yes, even Nico. I guess for him it would be like, pale-er), their hair was a mess, and there were pemanant bags under their eyes. And they were getting a bit diloutional. They had hallucinations, they saw "pretty colours," their hands always shoke, and they sometimes slurred their speech. It had all started a mounth earlier ... (I am NOT putting this big of a flashback in italics again. I learned my lesson the first time. Just remember that it is a flashback until I say it stops)

*Flash Back*

Percy was having one of those nights. One of those perfect, blissful nights where you don't dream, you just rest peacefully. One of those nights that you want to last forever. But, alas, he seemed to find that when you're a demigod, the good things can't last forever.

BEEP. BEEP. BEEP. BE- He slammed a fist on the alarm clock Chiron made him set. He opened his eyes slowly to reveal the ever-messy Poseidon cabin. The mess vaguely reminded him of Tyson, and how Tyson would've cleaned that up for him. He missed Tyson, but knew that Tyson was doing what made him happy, which made Percy happy. Percy rubbed the sleep out of his eyes, and looked to the clock he almost smashed. It read 5:00 A.m. Chiron had said that they would be waking up then every morning for the rest of the summer. He sighed. They knew just by that, that this wasn't going to be easy.

Percy forced himself to get out of bed. He put on a orange camp half-blood shirt and left his cabin. He was currently the only resident other than Tyson, but Grover had mentioned something about a 1 year old girl they found in a daycare. Man, Poseidon didn't waste any time after the oath was lifted.

Percy made his way to the big house like Chiron had instructed. On the way, he saw a miserable Thalia limp out of Zues cabin on her crutches, and a slightly disoreinted Nico stumble out of Hades cabin. They clearly didn't like being woken up so early, but there was nothing they could do. They all met Chiron half-way there. "Come now, children, we must start as soon as possible."

They followed him to the arena, where they could see he had set up a sick obsticle coarse. "Whoa." Percy muttered. He was right to be amazed. It started with a climbing wall, followed by a large mud pit, with logs swinging in and out with deadly speed. Next were these pedastals raised (At a variety of hieghts) high above a pit of what looked like shark infested water, and in between were theese flaming hoops that they would jump through. The flames were like the ones at Hades cabin, they burned day and night. Next, were two long lines of rope raised even above the platform (It's not meant for tightrope walking, you're supposed to inch your way across clinging on for dear life). On the other side, was a rope, which you were meant to swing on, over a dark pit. (It was secretly just painted on. Like, you ever see those artists on the side of the road who draw with chalk? Those thing look like they have depth, that's what Chiron got a Apollo kid to do) After that, there were theese railings, just like if you had a skateboard, you're supposed to grind 'em. Then there was this crazy pole, rungs sticking outlike a giant coatrack, where you were supposed climb the rungs like a monkey to the top. Then a daredevil dive into pool 100 feet below. All that was next was to swim as fast as you can to the end of the pool.

"****, Chiron! When did you make all this?" Nico expressed in disbelief.

"Yesterday." Chiron ansewred simply. (Right now, it's probably July 4th in the story. They arrived at camp July 3rd, because school ended June 29th, well, at least it did for my middleschool) "But right now that's not important. We need to start on the first lesson, post-haste!"

They followed him to a chalkboard tucked away in the corner. "Aw, is this gonna be like school?" Thalia moaned.

"This is how we're starting the first lesson. Don't question my methods. Now, lesson 1: What sperates the children Big Three from the other Gods' children?"

"Uh, we're more powerful?" Thalia guessed.

"Yes, but no. Try again."

"Um, we have more dangerous lives?" Percy said. It was more of a statement than a question.

"Yes, but no again. Come on, think. What about your powers seperates you?" Chiron promted.

"Our powers are more awesome." Nico muttered.

"Half right. Thalia was on the right track. Come on."

"Would you just tell us already?" Nico sneered.

"Fine. Your powers are more powerful, yes, but why is that? It's because every other Gods' children's powers are considered normal by mortals. Think about it. Athena is wise, and tactical, but those could be considered normal. Ares is ruthless, and at times, bloodthristy. Not something you'd normally see in a person, but that's why mortals have the army. Every god other than the Big Three have powers that mortals see as a personality traits."

"Oh, I get it. Like Aphrodite has great beauty, and in her kids, that get's them dates, but doesn't do much in battle. Uh, no offence." Percy said glancing up to the sky.

"Exactly. But the Big Three pass down powers that can't be explained by mortals. Instead of personality traits, you get things like raising the dead, shocking people with lightning, or even breathing under water. Things you can use in battle easily. Like, in a situation where, let's say, Thalia was against a daughter of Ares. And let's say there's no weapons, who would have the upper hand?"

"Thalia, 'cause she can run fast." Nico chuckled. Thalia smacked the back of his head with her crutch. "Ow!"

"Thalia has the upper hand because she can just zap her oppenent with lightning. Or run. Running's cool too." Percy laughed, which earned him a thwack for her crutch too.

"Yes, well, you see my point. The key differance is: Power." Chiron said, circling the word on the board, which didn't make much sense since the three couldn't read it without difficulty. "So, that will be our first lesson. We will test your power. Then maybe a run through the crash coarse."

"Cool!" Nico exclaimed.

"Uh, if you haven't notticed, I have to use these stupid crutches. I can hardly do anything." Thalia said. For some reason, she sounded guilty, like it was her fault she couldn't walk properly. They didn't know it, but it was stage two showing it's ugly head again. (Of the seven stages of Greif)

"Not to worry. We'll fix that. It was going to be part of lesson three, but I guess you won't be able to get there with your injuries. Come." Chiron said, motioning for the to follow. He brought them to a suppiles closet, where he brought out a bug zapper. He plugged it in and said, "You can use this."

Nico and Percy laughed, and Thalia growled at them. "A bug zapper? Ha ha ha! That's all Thalia is, right? It's a metophor, isn't it?" Nico laughed.

"Er, no. I meant that you'll need to be connected to electricty to heal yourself. Just like Percy can heal himself in the ocean." Chiron explained. It made sense.

Nico stopped laughing. "So, what? I can heal myself by touching dead things?"

"No. You would need to conceal yourself completely in shadows. Force them around you, not just stand in the shade." Chiron said handing Thalia the zapper.

She was reluctant, but she took it. She felt it tingle, but it didn't sting like an electric shock was supposed to. She marveled at the sensation, because she never thought it would feel like that. "Now concentrate. Visualize all your wounds healing in an instant." Chiron promted.

She concentrated a hard as she could. As she closed her eyes, she visualized the electricy going to her wounds, and slowly healing them. Her rib cage felt immensly better, and her leg healed instantaineusly. It was amazing. The electrity coarsed through her veins. She felt at peace for a half second, but then Chrion took the zapper away. "Yes, very good. Now try walking."

Thalia took an experimental step with her bad foot. It felt strong, so she dropped her crutches and tried walking around, like you would with new shoes. She laughed and took off the rib belt the doctor made her wear. "Woo hoo! Ha ha ha! Uh, sorry." She said blushing after she noticed they were still there.

"No need to apologize." Chiron chuclkled good-hartedly. "Now, time to test your strenth."

Nico was trying to conceal his bad hand in shadow, but it was a lot harder than he had thought.

"Uh, Chiron, are you sure? This doesn't seem safe." Percy called to him.

"Nonsense. It's perfectly safe. Well, you know, as long as you do it perfectly. One mistake could be a disaster- but, uh, no pressure." Chiron smiled. He, Thalia, and Nico were hiding behind a corner. He turned to them. "And I'll need you two to fight off his power. Let's keep the destruction two a minimum."

"Okay, if you say so." Percy called back, a little uneasy. He concentrated hard. Real hard. He pictured a storm. Not a thunderstorm, a tsunami. Giant tidelwaves crashing down upon innocent cities. Innocent people. He saw the mortified faces of the people running from the waves. Sewer caps exploded, with the water coming out over 900mph. (That's fast enough to cut straight through metal). All of the sudden, he saw something rideing up on the giagantic waves. Himself. He opened his eyes startled, "No!" The water he had been controling flowed back into the pool.

Thalia and Nico poked their heads from around the corner. They had tried to make armor out of whatever they could find, so Nico had a pot on his head, and Thalia held up a side of a crate that she ripped off. It read: To Farm Road 3.141, in big bold letters, and it had been used to ship the orange camp t-shirts. She was using it as a sheild, but it didn't really work. They were both soking wet. They looked half angry and half scared. Chiron trotted out, completely soaked as well. "Well done, Percy!"

"I didn't hurt anyone, did I?" Percy said, still a little shaken.

"No, and that's the good part! You can control it! Excellent!" Chiron saw Percy's worried face and said, "Don't fret. Thalia and Nico kept it mostly under control, you really hit the side of the arena though." He looked over to see that there was a big hole in the wall.

"Oh Gods, Chiron I'm sorry."

"It's fine. It's more my fault for letting you try it inside. But, thankfully, you don't use the full extent of your powers yet. Otherwise, you might of drowned the whole camp." Chiron chuckled.

"What?" Percy asked, scared of his own power.

"And of coarse, it would of nearly killed you, calling on that sort of power with out full training."

"WHAT?"

"Alright, now who's next?" Chiron asked Thalia and Nico.

They looked eachother than said simultaineously, (Top: Thalia. Bottom: Nico)

"HIM!"
"HER!"

It ended up being Nico who went first. Thalia gave him a death-glare, and that was all he needed to know what to do. This time, they decided to do it outside. He adjusted the pot on his head by the handle. Then realized how stupid he must've looked and threw the pot to the ground. "Remember; focus." Chiron prompted.

Nico sighed, and closed his eyes. He clenched his fists and focused on ... on ... "Hey Chiron. What am supposed to focused on?" Nico asked annoyed.

"Well, some find it's easiest to focus on something, or even some one you hate." Chiron explained.

Some one I hate? I hate a lot of people, this should be easy. Who do I hate the most? Well, there's that stupid Mrs. Gottschalk. So annoying. Then there's *shudder* Percephone. Hate her so much! Then there's ... Max. Do I hate Max? Maybe he's not a bad guy, but no one comes between me and my dad. Things are already a little rocky between him and I. I don't know. Maybe. But for now I guess I don't. Then there's- ... No, I can't be thinking that. I can't hate ***. I- "Nico, is everything okay?" Chiron called. (Stars = either him or her. You guess)

Nico opened his eyes, "Uh, yeah. Just ... just practicing. Let me try again, I'll get it."

Nico closed his eyes again, and concetrated hard on a certain person, just as a test. The scary the was, it worked. He was transported to an Underworld-esc place. Except it wasn't he Underworld. It was Camp Half-blood. Well, sort of. It had transformed into a hellish nightmare, with fire and brimstone as far as you could see. A humoungus, jagged mountain replaced the cabins, and below it was a gigantic crevase that took up the entire camp grounds, boiling, bubbling lava lay 5000 feet below. Campers in tatterd Camp Half-blood t-shirts scaled the moutainous rock, desprately clawing their way up, some savagely shoving others out of their way. No one even made it halfway up. Shadow claws scavenged the crowd and picked out the most innocent, undeseverving, helpless campers and through them down into the lava. Skeletal warriors erupted from the rock, forcing more and more to their firey deaths. Mortifeing sreams filled the air. The sky was pure white, and ash fell like rain, but in a sort of slow motion. Nico saw himself on top of the rock, with a deriding grimace etched into his face. Except it wasn't him. This Nico wore all white, white button-down shirt, white dress pants, and white lophers. The real Nico would never were that. It was sort of eerie. And for some reson, his hair was died bleach blonde. Deep bags under his eyes was the only colour he had. This wasn't Nico di Angeo. Yet, it was.

One person had managed to make it near the top. That person. They were desprtely struggling to get a fim grip. Nico lesurely strolled over to the side of the mountain, the same mocking look in his eyes. "NICO! HELP ME! I'M YOUR ******, YOU HAVE TO! ..." (I can't show you the rest yet, but they continue yelling at him for help. And the stars aren't a cuss word, it's just to make you guess a little. Could be any member of the family.)

Nico sneered and thrust his hand towards them. Shadows ingulfed them, and forced them off the cliff into the abyss. On the way down, Nico could see the shadows disintgrating his skin, then mucsle, then bone. It even bubbled a little, like it was boiling them. Let's just say, they didn't make it to the bottum. Nico let out an evil laugh, "Hm-hm-hm-hm-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-*Breath*-AH-AH-AH-AH-AH-AH-AH-AH-AH-AH-AH-AH-AH-AYH-YH-AYH-AYH-AYH-AH-HA-HA-*Breath* ERH-ERH-ARH-ARH-RH-RH-ERH-ERH-ERH-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E!" (That last part turns more into a gargle/chuckle thing)

"NO! STOP IT! STOP KILLING ***!" (It's either him or her, again) Nico woke in a cold sweat. He saw the remains of the shadows and dead things that had been terrorizing his friends, creeping back into cracks in the ground that were closing up.

"Marvelous Nico! But you were a little slow on the reaction time ... you must be farther along in the diesease then Percy. About four or five, I'd say. That means we must hurry. Now, Thalia, it' your turn." Chiron said.

Thalia closed her eyes and tried to concentrate on something she hated, like Nico had. She peeked out one eye and said in a guilty voice, "Are you sure you want me to do this? I mean, I could like, shock you, or something. Maybe even electricute you."

"I won't be affected Thalia, I'm immortal." Chiron innsured. Although he said nothing about Nioc or Percy. "Now concentrate. Take as long as you need."

Thalia sighed and shut her eye again. Who do I hate? Well I can hate a lot of things, so this should be easy. Okay, for one I hate barbie dolls. And this Hannah Montanna person, when did that happen? Stupid tree. That's another one, the tree. And I wouldn't have to be in that freaking tree if it weren't for that stupid cyclopes, so I hate him too. And then there's Luke. He betrayed me, yeah, but before that ... he was a good guy and all, and the only real family I had, besides Annabeth. Do I hate Luke? ... No. I can't. As hard as I ever try, I can never hate a guy who helped me so much, and was so sweet and sinscere ... but he was a scumbag. I'm not dening that. But he was a sweet scumbag non the less. Focus. Hate. Some on I hate. Okay ... there's my mother. And there's my father. The two people in my life that should care the most, but don't give a ****. Maybe if they'd at least tried I wouldn't be such a screw up. It's not my fault, when I never had a real mom or dad ...

An image formed in her mind. A simple image, put there for not even a minute. Just a simple image. She watched a dream-verson of herself. (It's not really a dream, but I didn't know how else to put it)The dream-verson stood upon Half-blood hill, where Thalia's tree would normally be. But it wasn't really Thalia. This Thalia wore all white; white army jacket, white under shirt, white skinny jeans, and white combat boots. (Her hair was normal though. Remember, she only had one attack). The sky was black with thick thunder cloads, and fire from lightning strikes made camp glow bright. Lightning crackled around Thalia. Flaming eagles darted in and out of the dense cloads, coming down only to terrorize the campers. Tornados spun somehow silently in the disdance. Two figures kneeled before Thalia and begged for forgivness. Her parents. Thalia just laughed at their pleading and held out a hand. Her parents stopped begging and tried to take it, but then Thalia struck them down with lightning.

Thalia opened her eyes, startled. She saw Percy being dropped by an eagle that had been trying to kill him. Their hair was all messed up from the massave winds and shocks, but they were smiling. "Awesome! Do that again!" Nico enthused.

"NO!" Chiron, Percy, and Thalia yelled simultaineusly.

"That was excellent, all of you. Especailly Thalia. You're reaction time was the quickest, meaning you've probably only had one attack. Execellent! That means you have more time. Now, we have enough time to have one of you go through once in the obsticle coarse! Now, who wants to go first?" Chiron asked.

The three of them looked at the obsticle coarse and decided, "Not me."

"Alright, then there we have to go through the side affects." Chiron said, leading them back to the chalkboard.

"Wait, there's side affects? Why didn't you tell us sooner?" Percy asked, a little worried.

"I didn't need to. The side affects don't start until you start training." Chiron stated.

"So ... when are these gonna kick in?" Percy asked nervously, looking to Nico and Thalia.

"I'm surprized they haven't already. The side affects include: Nausea, heartburn, indejestion, upset stomach-"

"So basically all we need is Pepto Bismo." Nico remarked.

"No, there's much more, let me finish." Chiron snapped. "Other side affects include: Giddyness, being more restless, being more tired, being peppy, spawntaineous combustion, unexplained weight gain or weight loss, appitight increase, appitight decrease (which might explain the weight problems), lemon breath, hot flashes, cold flashes, body parts randomly falling asleep, er, sudden sexual urges, terrible gas, constant rambeling, shortness of breath, *Breath in* a sudden urge to play ring-around-the-rosey, developing a temopary case of Coulrophobia (fear of clowns), seeing everyone as clowns (which usually goes with fearing them), sudden fits of laughter, temper tantrums, sudden growth of facail hair (only in guys), multi-coloured tounges, ecsesvive use of the word 'butt,' sudden desire to use sunscreen, obsesiveness, over-exageration, only telling the truth, only telling lies, only telling insults, going in and out of climatic and over-dramatic comas, develping tempory giant egos, sudden intrest in toenails, sudden urge to rhyme all your sentances, sudden urge to jump out windows, rolling your eyes at everything, abnormal obsession, always saying "Oooo, you got told!," always saying "WORD!," inability to bottle up emotions, saying what you're thinking without meaning to, massive head aches or migranes, living with no regrets, urge to climb a mountain, tripping on your own feet, inability to tie shoelaces, feeling the need to always text, feeling the need to hit things, feeling the need to be classy and over-dressed, feeling the need to have a puppy, a sudden love for math, sudden alcoholism, sudden need to party, sudden need to be a pirate-ninja-king-in space, and living la vida loca."

"Oh, is that all?" Thalia asked, trying to cover her worry with sarcasm. It didn't work.

Nico's jaw had droped a little. "****, got everything except-"

"Oh, and direrhea. Hm. Maybe Pepto Bismo is a good idea." Chiron finished. He started writting all the side affects on one side of the board in anceint Greek, so they could read it.

"'Living La Vida Loca?' Isn't that just song?" Percy asked, a little disoirented.

"No, it's a terrible, terrible diesease." Chiron said.

"No, I'm pretty sure it's song. Ricky Martin did it. Not my kind of thing, but it's pretty famous." Thalia confirmed.

"Oh? Well then. Any other strange behevior is probably just an unreported side affect. These are only the confirmed ones."

"Oh wonderful. I thought the fun would stop there." Nico muttered sarcastically.

"Not to worry, all side affects are temorary. Infact, some don't last a day. I think it's time for a quick lunch." Chiron promted.

"Lunch? What happened to breakfast?" Thalia asked.

"We're on a tight schedule. I'm sorry, I truely am. You should go. Eat while you can. It's about 11:45, all the other campers will be doing activities, you'll have the whole mess hall to your selves."

The three of them exchanged one last worried look, then headed off to the Mess Hall.

Everyone was out, and the Mess Hall was eerily quiet. The buffet was already set up with every and any food you could think up. "I'm starving. Cheeseburgers! I can't belive I went a whole week, not as a hunter, without a cheeseburger." Thalia marveled.

Percy shook his head, "What is it with you and cheeseburgers?"

"Cheeseburgers are awesome." Thalia said simply, putting two on her plate.

"Whatever."Percy said, getting a blue coke, fishsticks (Ha), and fries. Percy looked around at the empty tables. "You know, It doesn't matter what table we sit at when nobody's around."

Nico chuckled to himself for a moment. "You know what we should do? We should send the all other tables to the Underworld. I can shadow-travel 'em. I've gotten better."

"Yeah, but if we do every table but ours they'll know we did it. You're not thinking ahead, Bone-boy. We gotta do every table except the Hermes table. That way, no one can pin us to the crime. We eat there, they get in trouble. Easy." Thalia suggested.

"Sweet!" Nico said running off to gather all the tables.

"Heh heh, under all that sullen death and decay, there's still an annoying little kid. I guess that's because he never had an adult roll-model. I mean, Bianca probably did her best, but she was still a kid too, so Nico didn't really mature like he should've. Well, until she uh, passed, that is." Percy muttered to Thalia.

"Yeah, kid's had a rough life. But I guess that's the deal when you're a demigod. Never a easy way out." Thalia observed.

They sat down and watched Nico push all the other tables together, even the head table. That'll make Dionysus mad. Percy thought, while he chuckled inwardly. "Okay, be back in a second." Nico backed up then ran full speed at the pile of tables he had made. Black cracks formed behind the tables, then the portal fully opened and closed around Nico and the tables.

"You gotta admit, that's pretty cool." Thalia said through a mouth full of cheeseburger.

"Yeah, you gotta try it. Anyway, what do you think about those side affect things?"

"Stupid. This whole diesease, or whatever it is, is stupid. We're just supposed to drop everything and train our butts off? And for what?"

"Well, not to die, for one. But I guess I know what you mean. Things have been rough for Annabeth and I lately, more than the usual kind of fight, and I want to fix it before she leaves for university. I don't know how I'm gonna do that if we can't see each other." Percy said sadly.

Thalia looked at him like he fell out of the sky. "What? When did all this happen?"

"Couple weeks ago I guess. I don't know, it was all really confusing."

"Wow. I'm really out of it. You know, I didn't think this would happen until I was like a billion with the hunt-" Thalia stopped. It kept happening. She'd forget for a second, then it would come back an hit her like a brick wall. "Oh." Thalia realized in a guilty voice. Tears welled in her eyes, and came out by force. Oh Gods. Oh Gods. Oh Gods. It's all my fault, I'm such a screw-up. Why do I always manage to screw up every good thing that comes along?

"What is it? Thalia, you're crying." Percy said slightly amazed. Thalia actaully expressing her feelings was a rare event.

"No I'm not. Stop being an idiot Percy, it's not cute anymore." Thalia said, wiping the tears away with her army jacket.

Percy looked at her worriedly. "It's okay. That's what Annabeth says, yet she never stops calling me Seaweed Brain."

Thalia laughed a little at that, "That's because you never stop being a Seaweed Brain."

"Heh heh, I guess that makes sense." Percy said, trying to cheer Thalia up. It worked.

Nico came back. He stumbed a little, but caught his balance. "See? I'm way better. I'm not even tired." Nico boasted.

*Flashback ended* (For now)

"You can't hold up in your room all day, Rosey." Jerry yelled up to her.

"Yes I can," Rose yelled back. "That's what grounded means Dad!"

"You can come down for dinner, you know." He shouted. "Besides, I miss you're company."

"Too bad! I'm not coming down for dinner until you say I can see Nico!"

"Wha- no, NO! Come down here!" Jerry yelled back.

"No." Rose said simply. She decided it was time. She grabbed the pre-packed back-pack, tied her bed sheets together, tied one end to her bed frame, and threw the other out the window. Just a few feet short, but it would do.

"Rosey get down here this instant!"

Rose tugged on the sheets to make sure they were secure. She put on leg outside her window and yelled, "Make me!" This was her plan. There was a giant screen door directly below that led straight to the kitchen, where he could see out. But if she made him go upstairs, she'd have some time to escape.

Jerry got up angerly. "Roselyn Abagail Charis if you don't get down here this instant, I'll take away all T.V. and Internet privaledges!" He stormed upstairs, at just the right time. Rose was already in view of the window. Rose flinched at the use of her full name. He knew she hated her full name. She dropped to the ground and ran. She ran as fast as she could and didn't stop.

Jerry got to the top of the stairs and yelled, "Alright, if you don't open this door on the count of three, you're gon' be in so much trouble. 1 ... 2 ... Come on, Rosey, you know I don't wanna have to do this ... alright, 3!" He opened the door to see an open window, and sheets used as a rope ladder. "Rosey! No! No ... Not again ... Please Gods no, not again ... I can't loose my daughter too ... No... No **** it! Rose y-you get back here! ... Where ever you are, come back ... **** it Rose come back!" Tears had brimmed in his eyes, and were streaming down his face. He took off his trucker hat and ran a hand through his thinning dark blonde hair. "**** IT ROSELYN, STOP IT! STOP HIDING! ... STOP IT! ... COME OUT AND STOP HIDING! ... I'M NOT ******* KIDDING ROSELYN ... Please ..."

He broke down. He later tried to call the police, but then realized it would do no good. He knew there was only two places she would go; 1. Camp 2. the Underworld, and either way they wouldn't be able to stop her. "Hello, emergency help line-" He slammed the phone on the holder.

He heaved a big sigh and took a picture off the wall. He stared at it hard - his old family portrait - then threw it to the ground in anger. The glass cracked upon impact. He shook his head. History reapets itself far to often.

*Flashback* (It's just a small one, so I can put it in italics)

"Jeremiah, come with me to your mother's grave. I need to show you something." Walter Chardon had said to his 8 year old son. His voice was always hard and un-loving after the funeral.

"Can I come too, Father?" Cyrus had asked in an innocent tone.

"No son, this is a lesson only Jeremiah must learn. It is a punishment, not a reward Cyrus."

Jerry looked up coldly from his supper. "Cy's just as mature as me. Why don't you tell him too. Infact, why not tell everybody. Tell them. Tell them you killed your own w-"

"Don't say that, Jerry! He didn't! I won't belive it!" Cyrus ran out of the room.

"Time to visit Mommy, Jeremiah."

Crows called in the disdance. The chilling mid-December air bit at them. Jerry wiped off her tombstone with a rag he brought, then joined his father in silent remorse. A hard look in both their eyes. It stayed silent for a long time. Until, "You shouldn't treat Cy like a kid. He's already 5 and half, that's plenty old. Mom would've wanted you to be a good dad, you know."

Walter turned to him. "Son, I brought you here for a reson. As a reminder of what you did-"

"YOU KILLED HER, NOT ME!"

"Liar. How dare you sully your own Mother's grave with your filthy lies? Gladys would've been so dissapointed to have a such a deluding mistake for a son. That's all you are. A mistake. I hope you die, Jeremiah. I hate you. Your mother hated you. Cyrus hates-"

"NO THEY DON'T! YOU'RE JUST SAYING THAT TO MAKE ME FEEL BAD! And you know what? I hope I die too. Then I can be with Mom in Heaven, and I won't have to put up with you!"

Walter sneered. "There is no Heaven." (Personally, I choose to belive there is, but after Gladys died, Walter lost all faith. This is Walter's opinion, and in no way should it affect or affend yours)

Jerry faultered. "Yes there is. M-mom told me."

"You belive in Santa, too? There's no magic or miracles kid, just one life you waste dreaming then that's it. Done. You're stuck in a hole in the ground for all eternity. You sent her there. With your constant babbeling in the back seat, it's a wonder why it didn't happen sooner."

"You crashed the car, not me! If it wasn't for you she'd still be here! I hate you! I hate you! I HATE YOU!" Jerry screamed. "And Cy hates you too!"

"That spineless baby? He'll never amount to anything, and you'll be the same."

"You don't say that!"

"Well, as a matter of fact, I do!" Walter regarded his son's heavy breathing and look of pure hatred. "Let me tell you why I brought here. Every generation of the Chardon family welcoms the first born son into the family with a coming-of-the-age ceremony. It has been going on for generations. My GrandFather to my father, my father for me, but now, I am ending the tridition. You are not welcome in this family. Ever. You therefore forfit your responsibilities to your brother Cyrus, who will then become our families only son. You are no longer my son. You are no longer a Chardon."

Jerry took it all in, and said in a wavering voice, "No. Cy won't do it when he hear's why you're doing it. We're brothers."

"Too late. He is officaily welcomed into the family, and you're shunned."

That's when he ran. His hand covering his ears, to block his father's words. He eventually went to the orphange, but refused to be adopted. (That's where he developed a country accent. It was out somewhere in the country, let's say) He told them his name was Jerry Charis, and kept it that way. He never looked for Cyrus or his father, but instead snuck into their house to get a picture of his mother. The only one was a family portrait, so he grabbed that and ran. He eventually met the goddess Demeter, and was so enchanted he forgot his misery. When Rose came, he promised fo it to not happen again. He wouldn't be like his father and force her away with horrible words. He wouldn't let that happen.

But it had. All over again. And there was nothing he could do.

So, th-th-th-that's all folks! For this chapter, I mean. No way would I end it like that. There's so much story left! Poor Jerry right? He's not such a jerk after all. Just a big softie. Yep, lot's going on. Hope you liked the chapter. I was going for a little tug at the hart strings when it came to the backround for this character. And I let a clue slip of one of Nico's minor problems. Can you figure it out? (Who he hates). Probably, I'm no good at mysteries.

P.S. I've got a deadline for the next one, the end of next week, because I'm going to my cousin's wedding and I'll probably not get a lot of chances to write then.