I know you're probably wondering why there's another chapter being posted this week. Well, unlike my double posting yesterday for A Tale of Love and Thrones, I wanted to do this one. Just part of me is ready to cross that finish line. Now, I'm going to go ahead and announce something important for you all to know. It all really depends on how many chapters this turns into, but something is happening when I publish the last chapter, the epilogue, which will be either Aug. 29th or Sept. 2nd. If it falls on the 29th then what I'm about to say will immediately take effect, but if it falls on the 2nd, then it will take place the next day. The second that I publish the epilogue, or the latest chapter of Sola Amor, I will be vanishing from the site for a hiatus. So, if you want to talk to me about anything, you have until that date. Why? Well, if you've been reading my A/Ns, you know I've gotten extremely stressed out with writing four fics on a weekly basis. Bragi will be coming in on the A/Ns for that week to clarify anything, and if you have something really important to ask or tell me, you can message him, Bragi151. When I say I am vanishing, I will not be logging in at all. So, if you message me, I will not be responding to it. I just need a nice break before I start again.

So, during that time, you can't PM me, I may or may not be reading fanfics, and anything else you normally see me doing on here. How long will this be? Undetermined is the best answer I can give. We talked it over for a few hours on Monday. (Bragi: And he complained about it immensely) It will range anywhere from a week to two months. And it's not just due to my stress, but also because my writing has started to suffer. I've started to notice it, Bragi has noticed it (Bragi: And I've been trying to fix it), and a reviewer noticed it. I'm taking the break to safeguard my fics from further harm. I will not have Children of Loss suffer because I'm suffering. I want that fic to be good enough to be a published book. During my hiatus, I will not be writing anything for my three remaining fics. Instead, I will be completing the world building, lore, characters, and plot of my new fic. Though, part of me wants to actually start a book...so I was a little tempted to scrap the fic and use it for a book. (Bragi: No) I also constantly have the same thought for Children of Loss. And about that review. It didn't really bother me, except for the word boring. But that was because it just finally hit me that I've flatlined, as Bragi put it. I've been growing ever since I started, and now I just stopped. Anyways, enough about that, I just wanted to let you guys know about this. Now, let's just move on to the shout outs.

DarkLove: Haha. You got the review in just as I went to look at reviews to do my A/N. I figured that was the cause, probably has a lot to do with reviews. Yeah, I was hoping no one would really see it coming. I do feel bad for Jason. I also feel bad for Nico. Well, the big fight will be more next chapter, which I haven't written yet.

Reining: I thought that might have something to do with it. Oh wow, I didn't see that coming from you. He's very tragic, but that's why we love him. I'm sure he has a lot of nightmares. Well, you are partially right on the second guess.

Lucy: Yeah, I guess that's true. You'll see this chapter.

V1nvampire: I think I went and listened to Ding Dong the Witch is Dead when I wrote that.

RaiuxNeexChan: Hmm. We'll have to see. It would only appear once in Choke if I did. Cats love attention. I know when I'm at my laptop and my cat is in the room she has to get on my keyboard.

Hostiletakeover: That's an awesome name. I guess I overlooked it when I first started, my apologies. Yes, I do feel stupid for putting that song reference in now, but that might be because when I started, the song wasn't that big, and now it is a meme and I want to stab someone. Go google Hey I Just Met You meme and find the one with Liam Neeson in it. That is now I how I feel about that song.

HeyItsAmber: I try to. I sort of realize that, and I'm refusing to comment on everyone's vote so I can address it before the chapter.

MadlyMagical: I don't really know what you mean by I swapped the roles of Percy and Nico. Percy is still the top in this, if that's what you mean. Or you could mean that Percy is the 'innocent' one. I need more clarification. Most people did, but he had to go sadly. He would have only killed a bunch of people, gotten himself killed, or destroyed himself. And yeah, I tried to keep it as minimal as possible on the gay guys. Bragi wanted Leo to be gay, and I just had to say no for that reason. Actually, chapter 12 is where my beta really started not liking this story, because I made Nico so powerful. Which is another reason he had to lose the insanity thing. I do enjoy dark fics.

Coralie14: Thank you. And that's just how life is, grey. Yes, that is what inspired the two of them. Not originally, I just came up with it on the spot.

percyjackson: Sadness. Really? Well, find me Percy and/or Nico, and have them delivered to me. Thank you!

Awesome older sibling: Thanks! Haha. It's so appealing, but oh so wrong...I want it...but no I must hate it. Morally grey is the proper term, but yes, they aren't that nice of people. Well, I suppose, but they do work in opposition of each other. He's a technopath and she's a super A.I. So, I don't know how well that would go. That could always be the smut if I don't go the route of Percy/Nico sexy times. Warning on Athena in that fic. Well I'm glad you enjoy my A/Ns.

Make-It-Now: It did shock me. It was a little scary, but I think it will be the other way around. I think it will change other people's minds. I might.

LizziDaughterofHades: I blame my stress. Well thank you! Actually, I cannot actually turn it down to T because I have several chapters that have a lot of gore moments. I can list 3 chapters right off the top of my head.

DawnScarlet19610: I actually appreciate the honesty. Though, if you want me to relieve you from reading this fic, I can. I do know how that feels. I have a fic I read that I don't like anymore, I did when it started, but something just changed, and I just skim it. So, I don't have any room to be mad. Well, except for Sola Amor, all of my stories are AU. I suppose I should actually put AU somewhere in the summaries, or something. How is Nico the main character? Percy is the POV character 90% of the time. The story is still focusing on him, but Nico is a big part of the story. He should be if he is dating Percy. I mean, the first few chapters was Nico being this enigma figure, so I thought the story should unravel his character. But yes, like I said, the only thing I got stung by was the word boring. But I think that's my own fault for stressing myself out so badly.

DrunkOnCookies: I was hoping it would be. I wasn't really worried, confused is a better term. I love Daft Punk, they were the music of my childhood. Yes people, I was a kid/preteen when their song One More Time and those songs were freshly out. I saw them on Toonami all the time, back when Saturday night on Cartoon Network was pure awesome. If you know who Tom is, you're cool. And I don't mean from Myspace. They stole my panda.

TheWebmaster: But :(. You'll just have to see this chapter first.

Luckyducky: But an awesome crazy. Yes, everyone is crazy. But Kinzie died in the story, and that's what truly matters. You get another gold star. It is very sad, but somehow this became a very dark fic. I think Bragi is right, my stories are bleeding over into each other. It all goes down next chapter. Well, let me know if it is what you thought.

HappyKid44: I do do a lot of rambling. A little? I'll have to work harder. He is. He's being patient :P. Well, it's something that might swing your vote.

RobinsArt: Like a boss? That sounds like an awesome operation. Yes, the romance takes sort of a backseat in this fic, but I mean, if they didn't put it there, the world would probably fall into ruin. I was planning on having it in Sola. I don't mind it being in my story, but it does drain me a lot to write it. I don't think Apollo likes to share. I could always have them have sex. Yet Percy doesn't know what it is. So much for being all knowing. I won't let them take you back to jail.

Alright, so you probably noticed I omitted talking about all the votes in the shout outs. Because I'm going to address it as a whole. I'm worried that it would seem forced. The people who voted no, and Bragi, all made good points. (Bragi: Please also note he didn't discuss this with me before posting his lovely idea) Plus, think about Nico's character. He is very emotionally damaged from his past. Does it seem like it would be something he would jump into? So, I guess I want you to think carefully on this. Perhaps not for yourself, but try basing it on what you think the characters would do. And especially think on it after you read this chapter. This chapter is a big issue in the smut happening, you'll know what I'm talking about when you see it. Again, the flashback is dedicated to Reining, since she loves insane Nico so much.

Warning: Violence, death, you know, stuff that probably should be warned against, but I don't find myself concerned with the fact that you may show sex stuff to your parents, Amber.

Disclaimer: Hooray! We are almost done! (Bragi: And xSonOfHadesx does not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians which is strict property of Rick Riordan and Disney)

Optional music: When you see this line, "So much for being the perfect Special." Go listen to Ascend to Power by Chris Haigh, it will make the moment so much better for you. That's what was playing in my head while I envisioned the scene.

Chapter 18

Percy sat and watched as Annabeth and Grover tried out the newly finished battle suits. He covered his mouth to hide his laughter when Grover went flying into the ceiling. A few days had passed since his encounter with Kronos, and tension was starting to run high. His parents and Chiron had started butting heads more, making Percy feel like he was stuck in the middle. Nico had been his usual self. One moment he would be happy and affectionate, and the next he would be pushing off of him during their make out sessions.

Jason was still grieving, but had started becoming less of a recluse. If they didn't settle the issue with Kronos soon, though, Percy worried that the lab might become its own battleground. He really didn't feel like taking a side between either his parents or the former U.N.I.T. members at the moment. He was just getting annoyed with it. He didn't understand why his parents and the Specials couldn't get along with each other. The Specials were trying to help them, but his parents were still untrusting of them. Chiron and the others weren't really helping matters, bickering back whenever someone made an unnecessary comment.

Annabeth shot a metallic cord from her gauntlet, where it hit a pole and wrapped around it. The cord started emitting a small burst of electrical pulses, a tactic to neutralize Specials and their powers. Usually, Percy would be training privately, not wanting to be around anyone, but he wanted to be the first to see the new battle suits in use. If it wasn't for Nico being forced to stay here and for the training facility, Percy wouldn't even come be there. He was getting major headaches with all of them. They weren't even always open about their issues with each other, most of the time it was silent, but the tension in the room always made it obvious.

He just wanted it to be over, so that he could try and get back to a normal life. He just wanted his old life back at this point. He wanted to go back to school and he wanted his old problems. He just wanted to go back to his normal life in his old apartment, perhaps with Nico as a new addition. His parents and Chiron wouldn't be around each other. Everyone could just try and be normal. Was it honestly too much to ask for?

Grover eventually managed to maneuver around in the air without crashing into something, while Annabeth just seemed like a natural in her suit. Annabeth and Grover powered their suits down. The chest of the suit started unlocking and they were eventually able to step out of the suits. "That was awesome!" Grover exclaimed.

Percy chuckled. "You both did great," he said.

"I noticed a few things that I want to point out to Athena," Annabeth stated.

Percy picked himself up and the three of them made their way out of the training room. He bid them both farewell once they were back in the lab, deciding to check in on Nico. The door was already darkened, so Percy couldn't see if he was in his room. He walked up to it, letting it open for him. He smiled down at Nico's sleeping form.

Nico lay on his stomach with his head resting on his arms. His dark hair hung down in his face, nearly blocking his closed eyes from Percy's view. His mouth hung open slightly, taking short breaths. Percy ran his fingers across Nico's bare pale leg, causing the boy to twitch in his sleep. Percy smiled as he sat down beside Nico, running a hand into Nico's dark hair. He leaned down and placed a kiss to Nico's cheek.

He eased himself down onto the bed, gently lifting Nico's upper half off of the bed. Nico grumbled in his sleep, flinging an arm at Percy. Percy eased himself below Nico, lowering Nico onto his chest. He raised his hand to rub his cheek where Nico had smacked him. Nico shifted closer to him, burying his face into Percy's chest. Percy wrapped an arm around Nico, while his other one played with Nico's hair.

"I was trying to sleep," Nico mumbled into his chest.

Percy chuckled and peered down at the top of Nico's head. "Sorry. Did I wake you?" Percy asked.

"You picked me up, what do you think?" Nico turned his head to look up at Percy, resting his chin on Percy's chest.

"I wanted to cuddle," Percy said with a pout.

Nico rolled his eyes, but Percy could see the smile that poked out from where Nico's mouth was buried into his chest. Nico laid his head back down. "How was the battle suit exercise?"

"It went well. It took Grover a little while to get used to it, but I guess Annabeth is just a natural."

Nico nodded his head lazily. He tangled his legs up with Percy's, which brought a smile to Percy's face. He leaned down and kissed the top of Nico's head. Nico groaned and stretched one of his arms. He crossed his arms over Percy's chest and rested his chin on them.

"Were you tired?" Percy asked.

Nico nodded. "Just had some trouble sleeping the past night or two," Nico mumbled.

"I could stay again, if you wanted."

Nico shook his head. "No, that's alright. I'm not a dependent little girl, Percy," Nico replied with a smile.

Percy wrapped his arms around Nico's waist. "I know you aren't. It would be awkward if you were, because I can feel something pressing against my leg." Nico blushed and rolled off of Percy. Percy chuckled and rolled onto his side. He pulled Nico back against him. "It's not that big of a deal, Nico. What happened to all that talk back at U.N.I.T.?"

"That was your body, not mine."

"I like your body. You don't have to be embarrassed about letting me see it."

"I'm just nervous, ok?"

Percy propped himself up on his elbow. "Are you a virgin, Nico?"

Nico blushed and glared at Percy. "None of your business," he grumbled.

Percy laughed and kissed Nico's temple. "Actually, I think it is. I honestly don't care one way or the other, I just want to be with you."

Nico sighed and laid his head back against his pillow. "Yes, I'm a virgin. I only ever dated Luke, and we were young when we dated, so no, it never happened."

"Nothing ever happened with you and anyone else?" Percy asked. "A fling? Booty call? Hook up? Friend with benefits?"

Blackness covered Nico's eyes as his gaze locked coldly onto Percy's. Percy fidgeted and gulped, feeling he had touched a sore subject. "I don't want to talk about this anymore," Nico growled, rolling over to face away from Percy.

Percy sighed and wrapped his arms around Nico. He buried his face in the crook of Nico's neck. "I'm sorry," he mumbled.

Nico rolled back over and gave him a halfhearted scowl. Percy pecked him on the lips. Nico sighed and rolled his eyes. "Whatever." Percy grinned mischievously at Nico and climbed on top of him. He rested his hands on either side of Nico's head as he spread the smaller boys's legs apart. "Percy," Nico whined. "Don't you have something to go do?"

"Nope," Percy replied, leaning down for another kiss. Nico sighed into the kiss and wrapped his arms around Percy's neck. Percy's hand found its way under Nico's shirt, his fingers ghosting over Nico's pale skin. Percy reached down to raise Nico's leg up and wrap it around his waist. Nico gasped and Percy clutched his head as he was hit with a memory.

Nico appeared to be around fifteen. He lay unconscious inside of a dark musty room. Nico groaned and rubbed his head as he sat up. What had happened? The last thing he remembered was those two guys offering him some food. His stomach growled, indicating that he never got that food.

A door creaked open and one of the two men came inside. He smirked down at Nico and yanked him up by his hair. Nico yelped as he was drug out of the room and into a new one. They appeared to be inside of an abandoned factory. A few chains with hooks hung from the ceiling and there were various sharp knives lying around. Was this a slaughter house? Nico's breath quickened as he was thrown onto the ground.

"Well, look who finally woke up?" the man who didn't get Nico said. Nico stared up at him, drinking in his appearance. He had greying hair and yellow teeth. His eyes were a light brown. He grabbed Nico's hair and forced Nico to look up. "Well, just look at you."

"Don't hog him," the second man said. The man with grey hair sent him a scowl and released Nico's hair. The second man kneeled down beside Nico and smiled at him, but it did nothing to make Nico feel more comfortable. "So, what were you doing out here, little boy?"

"Running," Nico replied darkly.

"Well, you won't be doing any of that for a while when we're done with you," the first man said with a laugh. Nico was about to reply with something hateful, but the first man grabbed him and flung him at a table. Nico's head was slammed against its surface, making his vision blur.

"He has a nice ass," the second man commented. Nico heard a zipper and began thrashing around more, but the first man had a firm grip on him.

"Don't touch me!" Nico screamed.

"Or what? What are you going to do?"

Nico bit his lip and shut his eyes. His heartbeat quickened and he felt his blood run cold. The second man grabbed his pants and yanked them down. Nico bit back a sob, biting down on his lip so hard it drew blood. The man pressed himself up against Nico, making Nico take in a sharp breath. "Stop!" Nico screamed. His irises erupted, the black in his pupils spreading to the rest of his eyes. His body went limp and dark lines started to spread from the corners of his eyes.

The first man noticed this and gulped. He started stepping backwards, tripping, and falling onto his ass. The second man paid him no attention and continued to groped Nico's backside. "Shut up, kid."

Shadows erupted from Nico's body, a tentacle shooting out to wrap around the man's neck. Nico turned to face him, his arms flailing through the air like a rag doll. His head fell to the side to stare at the man with his black eyes. One of his hands reached down to yank his pants back up.

"Wh-What the hell are you?" the second man screamed.

"Your death," Nico emotionlessly replied. The man's breath caught as he was impaled by a tentacle from Nico's back. Nico raised his hand, his fingers moving as if they were controlling a puppet. The man started choking on his own blood. His hands clutched as his chest. It soon became noticeable that something was moving beneath his skin. Nico spread his fingers and the man's body expanded until it reached its limit. Pieces of him fell to the ground as the two tentacles Nico had been using retracted into his back. He walked forward, dragging his feet across the ground.

The other man scrambled around and tried to make a run for it. Nico growled and bared his teeth. He hunched forward as hundreds of tentacles erupted from his back. Each of them flew at the fleeing man. He screamed for one brief second as they all landed. Nico stared emotionlessly at his mutilated impaled corpse.

The darkness vanished from his eyes like mist evaporating in the air. He fell forward, landing face first onto the ground. The shadows vanished from his back and his skin returned to normal. His eyes drifted halfway open a few moments later, staring at the first man he had killed. His body was too drained to move.

Nico shoved Percy off of him. He was fuming as he shot up in the bed. Percy fell off of the bed, his breath getting knocked out of him as he landed on the floor. "How could you?" Nico yelled, glaring at Percy. "That was private!"

Percy pulled himself back up. "I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to, it-it just happened," Percy replied frantically. This was not going to go well.

"You read my thoughts, Percy! I told you I didn't like it when you did that!"

"I-I didn't mean to," Percy fumbled, trying to reach for Nico, but Nico only pushed him away.

Nico scowled at him and pulled his legs up to his chest. "I wasn't ready to talk about that yet. Dammit, Percy." Nico let his head drop, hiding it from Percy's view behind his legs.

Percy crawled onto the bed and sat in front of Nico. "Nico, I'm sorry. It was an accident, please believe me!"

Nico snapped his head up to glare at Percy again. "I thought you had control!" Nico yelled back at him.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking. Please don't be mad at me. I was just curious, and it sort of popped into the front of your mind." Percy buried his face into his hands and groaned. "Can we just talk about this?"

"Get out," Nico whispered.

"Nico, please don't be like this. What I saw doesn't change anything between us."

"You invaded my privacy!" Nico huffed at Percy and turned his head to stare at the wall. "Just go, I don't want to talk to you right now."

Percy let his head fall back and he sighed. He bit his lip and nodded. He climbed off the bed and walked to the door. He glanced at Nico, hoping the boy would change his mind, but he didn't. Percy sighed again and walked out of the door. He made his way over to Leo and Grover, who were working on Grover's suit. He collapsed into a chair with a groan.

The two boys blinked over at him, stopping their conversation. "Everything alright, Perce?" Grover asked. He walked up to Percy and stared down at him with concern.

"I fucked up," Percy mumbled.

"Trouble with Nico?" Leo asked, waving a wrench around. Percy nodded with another long sigh.

The elevator opened and Jason and Apollo strolled in, immediately noticing Percy. "What's the matter with him?" Apollo asked, pointing to Percy. Percy groaned and slumped down in his seat.

"Trouble in paradise."

Jason snorted. "What did I tell you, Percy? He's not always the warmest person," he said, patting Percy on the back.

"Told you that you were barking up the wrong tree," Apollo added.

"Thanks for the support, guys," Percy mumbled.

"Just give him some time to cool off," Jason chuckled. "I'm sure everything is fine."

"What did you do anyways?" Grover asked.

Percy ran a hand through his hair. "Read his mind," Percy replied.

They all sucked in a breath and made a pained expression. "Not a smart move on your part, dude," Apollo stated.

"That's like checking his phone," Grover added.

"Maybe you should go buy him something," Leo continued.

Jason rolled his eyes. "He's fine," he assured Percy.

Percy looked up at him with a pout. "How do you know that?" Percy asked.

Jason chuckled. "Nico's not going to let something like that jeopardize your relationship with him, especially after you took the news about him so well." He gave Percy a reassuring smile. "Just give him some time to cool off. Go get some training in, or something."

Percy fidgeted outside of Nico's door. It was getting late, and Percy wanted to resolve this so Nico wouldn't go to bed angry at him. The door slid open and Percy stepped into the room. Nico sat on his bed, propped against the wall. His gaze flickered up to Percy, staring at the taller boy from behind his bangs. "Hey," Percy mumbled.

"Hey," whispered Nico.

"Look, Nico, I-"

Nico held up a hand and shook his head. "It's ok, Percy. You were going to find out eventually, I shouldn't have gotten mad. Besides, your powers are probably still growing, I'm sure you didn't mean to."

Percy visibly relaxed and walked over to the bed. He sat down in front of Nico and placed a hand on Nico's knee. "I promise it was an accident. I don't like using my powers on you, and I'd never invade something so personal."

Nico gave him a lopsided smile. "It's alright."

"This is why you get uncomfortable with sex, isn't it?"

Nico nodded. "I know nothing happened, but I just can't help it."

Percy climbed farther onto the bed and slid an arm behind Nico's back. Nico let his head drop onto Percy's shoulder. "Why didn't you fight back? You just lost control."

Nico sighed. "I was still new to my powers, Percy. They really only responded to my anger back then. I just lost control, and I hadn't had any training to control myself yet. I hadn't even learned to fight yet," Nico explained.

"What had happened exactly?"

"It was after the rooftop incident. I was on the run, trying to avoid Kronos and Luke. I didn't have anywhere to go, and I didn't have any money. I kind of had it rough between the rooftop and finding Chiron."

"I'm sorry," Percy mumbled, pulling Nico closer to him.

"It's not your fault." He kissed Percy on the cheek. "It's not like I'll never be ready to have sex with you, I just need some time."

Percy smiled and kissed Nico on the lips. When they parted, Nico leaned forward, trying to make it last longer. "I understand, Nico. I'm not upset that you aren't trying to get into my pants. I can wait until you are ready." Nico smiled and pulled Percy into another kiss, the two of them falling down onto the bed. Percy pulled back and propped himself up. He brushed some of Nico's hair out of his eyes. "We'll go at your pace."

"I really appreciate that," Nico said, pressing his lips up against Percy's.

The door opened and Sally walked in. She cleared her throat and the two sprang apart. "It's getting late, Percy. I think you should get to your meditation," she stated, eyeing the two boys.

Percy nodded, rubbing the back of his neck. "Alright," he replied. Sally tossed them a final look before leaving the room. Percy turned back to Nico. He leaned in for a final kiss before getting off the bed. "I guess I need to go do that. I'll come back and say goodnight when I'm done." Nico nodded. Percy left the room and headed to the training room.

Thankfully, he found it empty. He plopped down in one of the corners and crossed his legs. He took a deep breath and shut his eyes. He concentrated on his breathing, clearing his mind as he let himself drift in the dark. He could feel his mind reaching out to a progressively wider field, touching more and more minds with each mile. He felt a tingling in his head, but paid it no mind. His mind soon started to drift off.

"Percy."

Percy snapped his eyes open, looking around the room, but no one was there. Percy closed his eyes again, trying to resume his breathing exercises.

"Percy."

Percy opened his eyes again. The room was still empty.

"I know you can hear me, Percy," The voice stated.

"What the hell are you doing to me?" Percy asked mentally. He wasn't sure where this was coming from, but he knew that voice.

"I just wanted to talk, nothing more, nothing less."

"Kronos?"

"Very good, Percy."

"How?" Percy asked.

"I don't think you realize your full potential yet, Percy. Did you know that your telepathic link seems to extend to everyone in the city of New York?"

Percy's eyes widened. He hadn't known that. Kronos must have found out somehow and found a way to send his thoughts directly to Percy. "What do you want, Kronos?" Percy asked.

"As I said, just to talk. Would you meet with me? Just the two of us, so that we may talk."

"You want me to trust you?"

"Surely you have some questions. I have more I would like to discuss with you. Would you meet me at this location?" The city flashed through Percy's mind, finally coming to rest in front of a large grey building. "You have two hours."

Percy's eyebrows furrowed. He stood up and made his way out of the training room. He entered the lab and spotted his parents standing in front of the large monitor. "Mom, dad, I have to talk to you," Percy called to them.

Percy walked through the dark parking lot, heading towards the building he had seen in his mind. He could make out a single figure standing in front of the building waiting for him. Percy finally came to a stop in front of Kronos, crossing his arms over his chest. "I'm here, what is it you want?" Percy asked.

"That's not very polite, Percy. Where are your manners?" Kronos said, picking at one of his nails. Percy just stared back at him. Kronos sighed and let his hands drop. "I was hoping we could work something out. You and I would make great business partners. You'd make things so much easier, especially the part where I turn on the Consortium."

"Why would you betray them?"

Kronos shrugged. "They were just a means to an end. They helped me, so I helped them. They can get me what I want, but their usefulness will eventually come to an end."

"And what of my usefulness?" Percy asked. "Do I have an expiration date in your plans?"

Kronos chuckled. "Now, Percy, why would you think a thing like that? You are very valuable. I would never toss you aside. I had hoped we could be business partners. Think of all we could accomplish."

"You mean how I could enslave humanity for you?"

Kronos smirked. "That is one way of putting it, but think of the good it will do everyone. No more prejudices, no more bigotry, no more intolerance, all of that would be gone, and it would all be thanks to you," Kronos offered, gesturing at the city around them. "You could have a happy ever after. Don't you want that?"

"I don't need your happy ending, because it's a bitter one."

Kronos's smile dropped. "Now, Percy, I think you should think more on this. Are you sure this wouldn't be what is best for everyone? Just think about it? Everyone in the entire world would get along, discrimination would be a thing of the past."

"I don't know," Percy mumbled.

Kronos's smirk returned. "So you have been thinking about it. It would all be because of you, Percy. Their minds would be linked to yours. You would decide the way things work in the world. You could have a world where we don't have to hide what we are. You could live happily with Nico, without anyone being intolerant of the relationship you have."

"I have faith that the world can achieve harmony without your method," Percy shot back.

Kronos furrowed his eyebrows. "Is that so? Have you taken a look at the world you live in? It's gone to shit, Percy. Even Chiron knows this. He knows there is no hope in saving this world. Why should you share such a false hope? The world is lost, Percy. It needs you to save it."

Percy shook his head. "I don't want to be a part of this. I can't help you, Kronos," Percy replied.

Kronos frowned, letting out a sigh. "Pity. I'm afraid I can't let you leave here then." He snapped his fingers. Luke and Circe appeared on either side of Kronos, and then seconds later, Ethan appeared on the other side of Luke. "I'm afraid I couldn't risk it, Percy. I do apologize, but if you aren't going to join us, I can't let you live. You are just too powerful."

A sound caught everyone's attention. They all looked up to the sky to spot two objects flying towards them. Annabeth and Grover landed on the ground, cracking the pavement. Their helmets hid their faces from everyone, but Percy was certain it was them. "You didn't think we'd pass up on the party, now did you, Percy?" Grover said. Percy didn't have to see the smirk on his friend's face to know it was there.

"I'm ready to see what this thing can really do," Annabeth added, pointing one of her gauntlets at Kronos. Kronos frowned, but made no movement to do anything.

Shadows appeared on Percy's other side, Jason, Nico, and Apollo appearing from them. Jason smirked at Percy. "We weren't about to miss this either," the blond said.

"Oh good, everyone has come to me so they can die all at once," Kronos mused. "You have one chance to surrender and join us, or I'm afraid I'll be forced to terminate each of you."

"How about we terminate you?" Apollo countered. "We have you outmatched."

"Numbers make no difference." Kronos looked to his right. "Circe, deal with the blonds," he looked to his other side, "Ethan, deal with the super hero wannabes, and Luke, deal with your ex." All three of them smirked. Ethan raised his hands and Grover and Annabeth vanished. They fell through the air a few feet away, but they were able to catch themselves and fly the rest of the way down.

Luke ran at Nico, but the boy vanished, appearing on the other side of the parking lot. Luke growled and ran off after him. Circe flicked her hand at Jason and Apollo. The ground cracked and popped up at the blonds' feet. They went flying through the air, managing to land on their feet before hitting the ground.

Kronos fiddled with a ring on his hand, keeping his eyes on his hands. "I'm disappointed, Percy. I had really hoped you would come around," Kronos said sadly.

"I'm not going to let you carry out your plans, Kronos," Percy growled, gritting his teeth.

"Is that so? And how do you expect to stop me when you're dead?" Kronos's eyes sparked with amusement as he created an orange ball in his hand. It grew until it was the size of a model globe. He yelled and flung it at Percy.

Everyone froze when the ball exploded. They covered their face from the wave of the blast. "Percy!" Nico screamed. A plume of smoke rose from the spot that Percy had been standing moments ago, the ground around it having been reduced to rubble. Kronos cackled madly from his spot. Nico couldn't move. He could only stare in horror at the spot Percy had been standing seconds ago.

"So much for being the perfect Special," Kronos laughed. His laughter was short lived however as the smoke cleared. Percy stood, untouched, in the same place he had been moments ago. He had one hand raised out in front of him, his palm open wide. A large kinetic sphere radiated around him. "Impossible!"

Kronos created another orange ball in each of his palms. He flung them both at Percy, but they just exploded off of the forcefield that Percy had created. Percy's eyes seemed distant as he stared at Kronos. He dropped his hand and the forcefield vanished. He yelled and pulled his elbows into his sides, fists clenched tightly. Kronos was flung backwards, into the building, which cracked when the kinetic force hit.

"This ends now, Kronos!" Percy yelled, dashing towards the building.

So yes, should that smut scene still happen? I'm sure I'll still get some yes votes. But if I was in either Percy or Nico's shoes, I wouldn't be doing it, just saying. Percy is understanding. Nico is emotionally damaged. Things like sex, should take time for him to get in to. So, just take a moment to think on everything I've shown you since the beginning on Nico's character, and vote again. Though, I may take power into my own hands at the end, if I feel it doesn't fit. If anything, you can rest assured that it will be in the sequel. But yes, Nico almost got raped, that was his secret. And the thing with Percy reading his mind, he is growing into his powers, so accidents do happen with things like that. And also, while I didn't make it a huge Dragonball style moment, the part where Percy shields himself from Kronos's attack is his 'ascendance to power'. He now is in full control of his abilities, and is ready to kick some ass. Anyways, next time I'm not sure what will happen. The final battle, obviously. Um. It might include the wrap up part of the story. It really depends on how long I make the showdown last for. But then the epilogue will be after that. So, we either have two or three chapters left. Anyways, I will see you guys next time.