Disclaimer: I own nothing, except for Perry and my ideas.

Author's Note: Early update for everyone! =D

Sorry to anyone who finds this story slightly slower paced than other chaos or betrayed fics. I just like to build up character, and not rush on the story and the romance. I want to build up the relationships and give everyone a good understanding of their different personalities before I decide to... Unleash hades. =)

Once again, many thanks to those who reviewed.

To Guardian'sDragonOfDeath: Update your own goddamn story already! I want to know what happens next! XD

To Russia says hello: Same to you, dummy. =P

Enjoy this chapter!

Chapter 11:

Dreams are curious things. People for centuries have tried to know the meaning of dreams. Were they our deepest desires? Were they our greatest fears? Or were they warnings of the future?

No mortal knows for sure. Even demigods, monsters, and most minor gods are clueless about the sub-conscientious images that form when the mind creates during slumber.

That didn't stop them from making theories, though.

To mortals, dreams were expressions of yourself in the most basic level. To demigods, dreams were supernatural messages of the past and future. To the gods, dreams were passages to other planes of existence.

Every person has their own answer to what dreams were. Dreams were different to every person, except all had one trait in common.

The most important thing about dreams was undeniable. Dreams are windows of escape. They allow a person to exit reality, and view what the dreamer believes to be absolute. They could be absolute truths, absolute objects, or absolute emotions.

The key word is absolute. Dreams are absolute. They are the absolute exits from life itself.

Except for Percy and Perry, of course. Neither could ever escape their responsibilities.

Granted, demigods did not have the best track record with sleeping, but even they could have a few nights with no nightmares. The twins, however, had long since accepted that they would never have a good night's sleep.

This night was no exception either.

Everything was dark. That was the first thing Percy first noticed and there was not much else to comment about it.

Then slowly forms began to take shape. Dark fire burned from the newly formed torches. The walls, ceiling, and floor were all dark in color and the shadows only increased the dark theme.

The room Percy found himself in was a very large room. Columns rose from the ground and reached the high ceiling above him. Carvings which were demonic in nature were all over the room. Chains and shackles stained with blood hung from the ceiling.

All of this was designed for two purposes. First, to instill fear into individuals. Second, to bring attention to the giant throne in the room.

Percy knew where he was instantly.

"Greetings, Perseus Jackson." A dark booming voice echoed from the throne.

"Hello, Lord Hades." Percy answered politely. This was going to end well for sure.

"You are aware of why I called you here," This was a statement and not a question.

"I have an idea," Percy responded and then paused. "...I was surprised to see them. After what happened to their mother, I thought that you would keep them in that pathetic hotel until the prophecy was over." The lord of the Underworld sighed.

"Things change. I could not let something so important as the fate of the world be left in the hands of the arrogant children of my foolish, lying brothers. No offence warrior." Hades was referring to the children part. He knew that Percy agreed with him about Zeus and Poseidon.

"None taken Lord Hades." Percy could not be offended so easily.

"Both of my brothers broke their promises," Hades continued. "Then they allowed their spawns to be rebellious and destructive. Zeus's brat of a daughter actually accused me of stealing his thunderbolt. Why would I want to do that anyways?"

"Stereotyping is a terrible thing..." Percy commented.

"Yes, we both know how hurtful that can be." They then settled into a comfortable silence.

The two simply enjoyed a moment of peace. They were so rare in life. In addition to them always fleeting of course.

"After I saw the attitude of Thalia and the hesitation of my brother to sacrifice his children like he was ready to do to mine, I knew that Bianca and Nico were now needed. The Tree Girl definitely cannot be the one of the prophecy." Hades's anger was clear.

"Are you sure that you are not just still angry at Zeus for killing Maria?" If Percy did not have Hades' respect, then the god of the Underworld would have already lost his temper.

...And that would be bad.

"...A little... But I am right about them. None of their children can be part of the prophecy and keep this world intact." Hades was still angry. Percy knew he had better change the subject, or else invoke the wrath of the powerful god.

"You do not have to convince me. What's done is done. Instead let's talk about your children's future. Bianca is now part of the Hunt. She can no longer be part of the prophecy. That leaves Nico, who is too young for the prophecy right now..." Percy trailed off.

Percy always hated having a conversation in his dreams like this. He lacked a body necessary to pace, sit, or even turn his head. Right now he was a floating spirit. It made him feel weak.

He hated feeling weak.

"And that brings us to why you are here. Bianca was originally the one I planned to be in the prophecy. I never dreamed she would join the Hunt, but..." Hades signed demurely.

"If she is happy with that then fine. She will be safe in the Hunters. Nico is another story, though. He is young, inexperienced, and naïve. He is nowhere near ready to fight, and now his sister can't protect him."

"I noticed," Percy said, having a hunch on where the conversation is leading to.

"So I need someone, or someones to help him. Individuals who are skilled. Individuals who will not judge him for his relation to me. Individuals who can teach him to survive." Hades was now beating around the bush.

Percy hated that. Then again, gods are too proud to beg, so he ignored the bitter feeling.

"Perry and I already agreed to show him some swordplay. In fact, we are supposed to meet tomorrow. Chiron can take care of the rest." Percy finally decided to stop Hades from continuing his pitiful attempt.

The Underworld God smirked at him. "That's good, but its not what I entirely meant. I want you two to take him as an apprentice."

Silence. Perfect silence was his answer.

"...You do realize our track record with your children is terrible." Percy reminded Hades, willing himself to not deadpan.

"Yes, but they went too far to prove their own greatness. I do not blame you nor Perry. I never did. Unlike the other gods, I do not hold the grudges of my children." Hades responded.

"...Okay, then what about our track record with people. In fact, so many people and monsters died because of us, most immortals know me and my brother as the Immortal Inquisitors." Percy argued.

"So a few bad people died, what about it? Judgment served on the wicked. Trust me, I'm an expert on that. Nico has a better chance of surviving with you than at camp. Especially after one of the campers figures his parentage out. Children of the Big Three have never been called subtle." Hades answered.

"...This is the third request we have gotten this week from a god... Originally, I just offered to train him because of his sister..." He paused. "Losing someone like that hurts and I knew that he looked up to me and Perry... But..." Percy still did not think that this was a good idea.

Sure he had taught people before, but that was different. Showing someone the basics of fighting is easy. Training someone as a warrior and as a person was one of the few things Percy nor Perry had ever done.

"I'll think about it." Percy finally answered.

"Good." Hades was pleased.

"…Before I go... H-How is Rebecca?" Percy had to ask.

"She is enjoying the rewards of her heroic deeds." Hades responded. "Were you worried about her?"

Percy snorted. "Hell no, if anything, I knew that she would be fine. I just..." He paused for a moment before speaking again.

"I just miss her."

Hades was silent. If he was sympathetic, he didn't show it. Finally, the God of the Underworld spoke up.

"She wishes you and Perry luck on finding happiness, but she mainly hopes that you will someday be able to find someone else to spend the rest of eternity with. Rebecca still wishes for you to move on and forget about her." Hades told Percy truthfully.

There was another pause.

While he and Percy were on decent terms now, they had not always been that way. Many of Percy and Perry's old quests caused trouble for Hades, unintentionally of course. And Hades knew that They remembered all of the trials Hades caused for them.

Their civil behavior towards each other began far into Percy's long life. Right before Percy met the now late Rebecca Jackson, in fact.

Soon the room began to blur. Percy's dream was shifting.

"It's been a pleasure, Percy. Keep Nico safe." The God of the Underworld bid him farewell.

After the meeting with Hades, Percy's usual dreams of blood, tears, and pain returned.

For a short while anyway. Knowing that Rebecca was happy in the afterlife brought him some slight peace within the immortal's heart.

Morning, however, brought an end to Percy's terrifying nightmares and signalled the beginning of a new day.

As Percy moved to sit up in his bed, he rubbed his eyes. He had not slept in an actuall bed for a few months. It was nice to wake up without the stiffness gained from sleeping on the ground.

Sitting on the side of his bed, Percy looked to see his twin brother still asleep. Percy made sure to choose a bed a few rows down and on the opposite side of the cabin. Both needed distance from one another at night when the nightmares would plague them.

Staying silent, Percy rose from his bed. He quickly put his shirt and jeans on, then fixed the bed to make it look presentable. Percy had many different sets of clothes stored at this camp. He had yet to retrieve them so he wore his clothes from yesterday instead.

The really good thing about being a son of Poseidon; you can clean and dry your clothes at will as long as you have enough water. But Percy did feel like going for a good swim.

After putting his boots on and grabbing his leather jacket, Percy silently exited the cabin. No need to wake his twin up yet.

As he walked to the lake, Percy noticed that there was a lot of activity at the Big House. Usually, this would bother no one, but considering that it was five in the morning...

"I had better make sure there is no emergency." Percy thought.

Chiron was very tired. Yesterday had been very stressful and all he wanted was to get eight hours of uninterrupted sleep.

He was interrupted half-way through, though. No rest for the weary... Or immortal.

"We need to depart immediately!" Zoë yelled. She apparently woke up two hours ago after having a vision. The Hunter said that Artemis had been kidnapped, sending the rest of their group into a mass panic.

Chiron believed her, but he wished that she would stop switching languages. She had been through Greek, French, and Spanish already.

After waking up, Zoë stormed to the Big House. She demanded to see Chiron, and, in the process, angered Argus. That started the whole fiasco.

Zoë and Argus were about ready to rip each others' heads off. It had taken a long time to cool both of them down and then get the Hunters to stop panicking.

Grover was not helping either. He swapping back and forth between admiring Zoë and gaping at Chiron's sleep attire. Yes, he had yet take out the curlers in his tail...

Don't judge him about it. He could kill you!

"I know that you're distressed right now, but you need to think rationally. Lady Artemis ordered you to stay hear and I cannot allow you to leave unless she says so." Chiron made sure to stay calm. This situation was dire, but panic would not help.

"How can she give us orders if she is gone!?" Zoë looked almost crazed right now. Chiron understood her goddess was in danger, but this was not helping the situation or his growing headache.

As he was about to answer, when another voice spoke.

"Would Lady Artemis want you to put the Hunters in danger?" The voice of Percy Jackson piped up.

Zoë turned her head so fast that her neck popped. A lesser man would have pissed his pants at her look, but Percy just ignored it. "What?"

"You are demanding to take all of the Hunters to search for Lady Artemis, correct?" He receive a nod from Chiron and continued. "Think about that for a moment. You are going to take an entire group of Hunters to search for a goddess who was captured by a force which has to be stronger than said goddess. Then if you do find her, you plan to fight the force which bested an Olympian. How will that work out?"

Zoë still glared at the teen, but it looked like that she was listening to him. She turned back to Chiron. "Then what do thee suggest we do?"

Chiron sent a silent thank you to the gods for Percy right now. That saved him some trouble at least.

"We need to wait. As Percy said, running off right now will not help. Even if we did know where Artemis is right now. I couldn't just send you out. But considering that we don't know where Lady Artemis is now, we should stay calm and wait for a sign of what to do next." Chiron explained.

Zoë did not look happy, but she still nodded.

"Fine, we will do it thine way." With that, she stormed out the door. She probably was going to speak with the other Hunters.

"Thank you, Percy." Chiron smiled at his student. Grover was staring in wonder at Percy.

"It was nothing, Mentor. I was glad to help." Percy was now rubbing his eyes with his right hand. A habit he had picked up from his teacher.

"How did you do that?" Grover asked. He looked like a gapping fish at the moment.

"Even the greatest man-hater will listen to sound logic." Percy answered nonchantly.

"Not that I'm not grateful, but why are you here right now, Percy?" Chiron questioned. "And is Perry with you?"

"No, he's still sleeping. I was on my way for a wake up swim when I saw the commotion... That is quite disturbing, Mentor." Percy responded.

"Yes, Artemis disappearing is a bad sign." Chiron agreed.

"Oh, yes... That too. But I was talking about your tail curlers." Percy stated as he walked out the door.

Chiron was now the one who looked like a fish. Grover took the look of a hyena by failing to hide his laughter.

Chiron then sighed and shook his head. That certainly brought back memories.

"Ah, simpler times..." He thought happily with a smile.

Time to get some sleep before the other campers woke up.

Author's Note: You're welcome for the fast update. I abandoned my homework for everyone, so please review. =,(

This chapter was slightly filler, but it served the fact to bring important elements into the story later. I hope everyone will understand that.

Remember! Rate and review! =D

See you all next chapter!