Okay I really like this story, and I have a ton of plans for it. All the old characters will make an appearance. I even have a sequel already planned, which was set up by Eurytion. I'm having fun writing it, but I'm not gonna continue if no one else likes it :(

Review or follow the story if you want me to keep going!

And I guess I'm kinda quiet on here, but everyone knows I don't own PJO or HoO, sadly.

We just made the bus, literally. I was the crazy girl screaming as she ran down the street. Oh well, it worked. Nico and I were both breathing heavily by the time we took our seat.

Good news: I didn't feel anything out of place on the bus. "There's no monsters on here. We're safe for now."

"How do you know that? Sometimes they blend in well at first."

"I don't really know. It's just one of my gifts, I guess." He looked down at me with a little smile.

"You seem to have quite a few gifts, Skye." I couldn't help myself: I blushed. Again. Damn him.

I decided to change the subject. "Why did you agree to help Eurytion? He didn't seem very powerful to me."

He thought about his answer. "I met Eurytion a long time ago. I was in a bad place then, and he helped me." I felt like he was holding something back, but I didn't want to pry. "Also, like today proved, being on good terms with him can be helpful. He hears a lot of rumors in his work. I just wonder what he could want from me. He usually stays pretty low key."

"Well, after this war we'll find out." I didn't look for his response. I was too nervous to see his reaction. What if he didn't want me to tag along any more than necessary?

"Yeah, I guess so," was his only answer.

The bus ride was taking us to New Jersey, and Nico assured me we would be close enough to camp to shadow travel. I have never travel shadowed before, and I was a bit nervous about it. I didn't know much, but the theory sounded pretty scary. I was definitely not a wimp, though. Part of me was a little excited to try it out.

Most of the ride was in silence, and I didn't mind. I needed to get myself ready for the unexpected. I also had to keep an open mind. I knew these people needed to like me. I needed to win them over, somehow. I wasn't sure which one of my powers would do that. The fire, the ability to sense the unnatural, or the ability to bring people together?

Surprisingly, we didn't get attacked on the bus. I guess it probably had to do with Nico being with me. He was an extremely powerful demigod, but a lot of monsters were sent from Hades himself. Hades monsters would definitely be weary to attack the son of their master.

When the ride was over many hours later, we walked off the bus into a small, quaint town. If I wasn't a half-blood, I think I would want to live somewhere like this. It was low key, and no one was having an adrenaline rush like in the city.

"So what now?" I asked.

"Now, we shadow travel." He smiled. "Don't be afraid, but it will be uncomfortable the first time. Just hold on to me, and promise you won't let go."

"I promise," I said as he wrapped his arms around my waist. I put my arms around his neck, and he picked me up slightly off the ground and walked right into a tree.

But we never hit the tree. Instead, I felt like I was suffocating. I couldn't see anything, but I could feel Nico's arms around me tighten. Just when I thought I couldn't take it anymore, I was brought into the sunlight. I gasped for air, while Nico put his weight on me.

"Sorry," he murmured. "I've never brought someone with me before. I didn't realize how much strength it would take."

"It's alright." I'm the only person he's every shadow traveled with? Hmm. "Are we here?"

He righted himself, and pointed to the top of the hill to our right. On the very top stood a pine tree, with a golden fleece and a dragon guarding it. I smiled. I loved dragons, but that's another story.

"Are you ready to enter Camp Half-Blood?" Nico asked me.

"As ready as I'll ever be."

With that, I stalked right up the hill, ready to face my destiny. I heard Nico's chuckle behind me, giving me hope.