AN: Your reviews always make me smile, when I read them I am happy for a long while.

Actually, the pit wasn't as deep as I thought.

I hit the bottom of the metaphorical pit (which didn't hurt for some reason), and looked around. It was mostly black, but I could look up and see a small speck of light.

"Pretty dark down here, isn't it?" a voice said from behind me.

I whipped around, but still couldn't see anything.

"Who's there?" I asked, squinting to try to discern who it was.

"Oh, pardon me." the mysterious voice said. "Here."

Suddenly, I was in a white room, sitting in a chair facing a white table. There was another chair, and in it was a tall, dark man. His skin had the faint glow that usually identified gods, and he looked perfectly at ease.

I, on the other hand, was not even a little bit at ease.

"Who are you? Where am I?" I asked, remembering at the last second to add a "sir."

He smiled at me. "Well, it depends on what you consider yourself to be. Your body is currently in the Hunters of Artemis's camp and, if I'm not mistaken, she is currently blasting you with enough energy to have a herd of rhinos begging for mercy." he winced. "Ow. I think that was a rib. Your mind, however, is in one of the deepest realms of mine. I had to take you deep to shield you from your mother. That's child abuse if I've ever seen it. I'm Morpheus by the way. God of sleep and dreams."

I shook his hand. "Emily Wolf. Mortal of making people angry and blacking out from pain. I hope I'm not being rude, but I have a question, Lord Morpheus."

"Shoot. But don't call me Lord Morpheus. It's too formal. Just call me Morph." he said easily.

I was slightly taken aback by his casual conversation. Artemis had always told me that she was the most lenient of the Greek Gods, but almost every single one I've met has been 300% nicer.

"Okay, Morph, why did you rescue me? Not that I'm ungrateful. But why?"

He smiled. "Let me set something straight. I've always saved you. Every time someone passes out due to pain or shock, I'm there. I'm the one who saves them from going insane. You have been a frequent customer lately. Anyway, this time I was doing a favor for another god. They'll be here in a second. Well, there's a little girl who watched a scary movie and can't sleep now. Sigh. My bread and butter. I'm off!"

And he disappeared, leaving me alone in the practically empty room.

But only for a couple seconds before a huge golden door appeared out of nowhere.

I hastily got to my feet and backed away.

The door opened, and Aphrodite strolled in and sat at the other chair.

"Hey Emily. What's up?"

She was looking her usual self, American Eagle top with Buckle jeans and a purse, and her face was open and friendly.

Backing up, I hit a white wall. "What are you doing here?"

She smiled, a suspiciously friendly smile. "Now, is that anyway to treat your savior?"

I narrowed my eyes. "Morpheus saved me."

"Who do you think asked him to?" she asked brightly.

I stumbled over and sat down on the chair and put my elbows on the table. "Why?"

She frowned. "Well, I had a feeling that you and Artemis would come to blows eventually. So I asked Morpheus to watch out for you."

"Why?"

"You really don't trust me, do you? Oh well. I barely trust me." she said, with a hint of tragedy "I just wanted a formal chance to apologize. I am so sorry for being so mean to you."

I frowned. "What's your angle, Aphrodite?"

She smiled. "Emily, what have I been doing since you first met me?"

"Being a total-"

"Don't make me hurt you."

I rolled my eyes. "Fine. Every time I've seen you you've been trying to capture Artemis."

She nodded. "Exactly. And how many times have you blacked out because of her cruel treatment?"

I tried to remember all of them, but I quickly lost count. "Fine, I get your point. But why am I here?"

"Listen. Artemis has offended both of us, and she needs to be taught a lesson."

Automatically, I started shaking my head. "Never. I would rather bathe a bloodthirsty puma than cooperate with you in any way."

"Okay, whatever. Coward." she spat, standing up and turning away.

I stood up too. "No, I'm not a coward. I'm loyal to my mom."

"Why? What has she done for you? Do you really consider her your mother? I see relationships. There isn't one between you two." I winced a little bit. This was true. "You know what? You'll see sense eventually. Here." she flipped a coin at me, and I grabbed it. "Tap this twice and you'll be teleported to where I am. And one last thought: together we can make her regret every single ounce of misery that she's made you feel."

Before I could say anything, she opened the door and left.

Suddenly, I floated up towards the ceiling, yelling, until I was an inch away from the light,

and I woke up, gasping, on the Cot of Healing.

This time it was only Phoebe who was there when I woke up.

"Why am I always in this tent?" I asked with a small snort of amusement. My outward appearance of nonchalance was to disguise the utter confusion and uncertainty I felt at Aphrodite's deal (in case you didn't pick that up).

Phoebe remained cold. "Why? Why do you do the things you do? She destroyed 4 tents in her rage!"

I tried to suppress my giggles. "That's a bummer. But she was cheating! I passed that test fair and square!"

Phoebe rolled her eyes and smiled faintly. "I seriously can't believe all the trouble you get in. Dang, Artemis was spitting angry. She even sliced me because I tried to restrain her."

She rolled up her sleeves, and I saw a large bandage covering most of her arm.

"WHAT? She cut you? I'll kill her!" I yelled sitting up.

A couple minutes later, after my screams of agony and profanity, I was laying back on the bed and Phoebe was shaking her head.

"You honestly never learn. Approximately 27% of your bones have minor fractures. I'm amazed you aren't feeling more pain. Anyways, nobody knows where Artemis went. It's probably best that you are long gone by the time she gets back."

I shook my head. "Why does nobody understand? I didn't put up with two extensive torture sessions just to quit now. I'm almost there! One more little sword-fight and I'm in!"

Phoebe sighed and started rubbing her temples.

"Okay, let's go over the facts. One: Artemis has come close to killing you three times."

"Five." I interrupted. "I think. Maybe six."

Phoebe motioned for me to shush.

"Two: You have approximately 56 broken bones. Three: Your final task is to sword fight someone, but I bet you can't even hold a sword. Four: As soon as Artemis comes back, she's going to finish her job and possibly eat your soul. So, in conclusion, there is no way that you staying here will result in anything other than misery for everyone involved."

"May I list a couple facts of my own? One: If Artemis could kill me, she would have done it already. Two: I only have one trial left before I am done with all my initiation. No more ridiculous tasks! See, the numbers balance out!"

"That's only 2-" Phoebe tried to interrupt, but I waved her off.

"And," I said, sitting up gingerly. "I'm healing rapidly. Plus, I'm pretty sure I have enough natural agility and flexibility to get through any sword fight."

Phoebe snorted. "Fine. If you can stand up, and then touch your toes without collapsing in agony, then I'll go along with any crazy scheme you can think up."

I smiled. "Deal. Man, you are going to regret this- UNHOLY DAUGHTER OF HADES!"

Needless to say, I was on the ground, definitely not crying (heh.), and Phoebe helped me back into the cot.

"Dang kid. You're messed up." she said, shaking her head.

Not rewarding that with a response, I laid back down, exhaling sharply in pain.

"So, do you want to leave or do I need to carry you out?" Phoebe asked, sitting back down on her crate.

"Fine. Let me take a nap, and then we can figure something out." I said, covering my eyes with the crook of my elbow.

If she responded, I didn't hear it. I was too far gone into the deepest realms of Morpheus's dark domain.

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

"Hey, Emily. Get up." I heard a voice say urgently. "She's coming."

I quickly opened my eyes, knowing exactly who Phoebe was referring to.

Light-headed, I stood up, just as Artemis entered the tent.

She had this sort of icy calm about her, and she honestly didn't seem to notice my numerous injuries. I flinched a bit, but I wasn't as scared of her as I normally was.

"You have one last task. You will engage someone of my choosing in a sword-fight, to the death."

Thalia, who had entered right behind Artemis, gasped. "Lady Artemis, surely you can't mean that!"

Phoebe and I had been staring open-mouthed at her too, but Artemis ignored us and turned to Thalia.

"Why not? My Hunters, my rules." Artemis said, crossing her arms.

Thalia took a deep breath. "Yes, but you know perfectly well that you can't orchestrate

Emily's death. Father would force you to disband us, and I don't know what we would do with our lives."

"Get happily married and live out your days in the comfort and safety of a home with a family who loves you and not having to worry about an insan- Ow!" Phoebe had back-handed me in the shoulder, and it hurt.

Thalia glared at me for a second an then faced Artemis. "This is just a mock-fight. Please, be reasonable."

Maybe there was a special bond between them, because Artemis nodded, and she certainly wouldn't have done that with anyone else.

"Fine. It'll be a private battle. Thalia, I choose you to be her opponent."

Thalia turned a sickly pale, but I didn't see what the big deal was.

"My Lady-" Thalia started.

Artemis raised an eyebrow threateningly. "Don't push me. One concession is enough for today. You will fight her in one hour, using your usual techniques. That is my final word."

And Artemis left, with Thalia following her, pleading for Artemis to change her mind.

"Oh gods." Phoebe muttered, pacing back and forth across the small tent floor.

I didn't see why she was freaking out. "What's the big deal? If anything, this is good. Thalia is my friend, so she won't tear me into too many shreds. If anything, this is a blessing in disguise."

Phoebe looked at me with pity in her eyes. "You don't get it. Sword fighting is Thalia's specialty. Her signature move," Phoebe shuddered "is called the electric chair. When her opponents are on the ground, she cuts them, usually a thin scratch on their arm, and then shoots 1,000,000 volts of electricity into them. And Lady Artemis practically just said that she requires it. This is bad."

I winced a little at her explanation. "Okay, I can deal with the pain. No problem."

Phoebe shook her head. "I'll be right back."

And she left me alone, and I sat on my sad little cot in the tent that still had my bloodstains on the walls.

Phone wasn't gone for long, so I didn't have time to plan any mischief. Darn.

"Here," she said, laying down pieces of what looked like armor. She lifted a particularly long piece and helped me put it on.

After about 20 minutes of me squirming and her threatening to make me face Thalia on my own if I didn't calm down, finally, I was ready.

Taking a deep breath, I tried to sit up.

I couldn't.

Not because of the pain (but that didn't exactly help), but because of the weight. Even if I had been in perfect condition, this weight still would have been a hindrance.

"Help?" I asked weakly.

Phoebe pulled me to a sit-up position. "Can you stand?"

I tried. The armor was a little big on me, and I felt like I was bouncing around in it, but it interlocked with itself, forming a suit of armor. I wasn't holding it up, it was holding me up. Which was probably Phoebe's plan.

"Great. Hey, do you have any of that ambrosia left?" I asked, stretching what muscles I could.

Phoebe nodded. "Here." She took a piece out of her pocket and handed it to me.

I chewed it carefully, savoring every part of it.

"Thanks." I told her gratefully. "Can I ask you a question? Why are you helping me?"

She smiled at me wearily. "Because you're my friend. Because I don't like to see people in pain. Because it's the right thing to do. And, because I know deep down that Artemis loves you, and I don't want you to get irreparably damaged by her."

I snorted at her comment about Artemis loving me, and I thought again about Aphrodite's offer. With my current pain, it was looking pretty tempting.

Phoebe checked her watch. "Oh lemur. We have to get going. Here, take this sword."

I grabbed it with my now-gauntleted hand, and, to my delight, could hold it with only minor pain.

Phoebe led me to a small clearing, where Thalia and Artemis already were. Thalia was pacing nervously back and forth, but Artemis was sitting calmly on a big rock.

Artemis scowled at my layers upon layers of protection, but Thalia looked slightly relieved.

"Are you ready?" Artemis asked after Phoebe had sat on the ground next to her "Go."

Thalia and I faced each other, and before I knew it, I was on the ground with a faint tingling that felt suspiciously like electricity. I got to my feet, without any idea of how, and charged at her.

She was in her element, and I was in what was about as heavy as a small car, and our battle reflected it.

Most of my swings were diverted in mid air, and most of hers weren't. It seemed like she was going easy on me, though, a fact I appreciated a lot.

Finally, Thalia had me on the ground, with no sword in my hand and her sword at my throat.

"I win." she said to Artemis, and then smiled apologetically at me.

"Not yet." Artemis said, to my horror. "She's still conscious."

"My Lady, she can't do me any damage. I doubt she can get up again."

Artemis's eyes went black. "Finish her."

Thalia frowned at me, and then sliced my arm, just like Phoebe said she would.

Then, she sent a small spark that quickly erupted into a wildfire of pain once it got in my circulation.

"Happy now?" I spat at Artemis as my world went blank.

-/-/-/-/

I awoke on my own, a fact I liked. This way I could howl loudly at all of my injuries.

My shoulder cut was pounding away, and my stomach didn't feel good, and I blamed everything on Artemis. I reached into my pocket, and pulled out the coin Aphrodite had given me.

It was a normal quarter, so I wondered why she had it. There was a faint aura of power about it.

I looked at my two options: one, disappear and just try to avoid Artemis for the rest of my life (Apollo's ring). Two: make Artemis pay for every injury she's ever given me, and convince her that she isn't the coolest cat in the world (that would be me). Tempting. So tempting.

I took my ring off, and immediately felt a little colder.

Putting the ring in my right pocket and the coin in the left, I walked out into the cold Canadian day. My armor was gone, and I half-wondered what had happened to it, but I was in my normal Hunter's clothes, which weren't as much protection as I would have liked.

I walked to Artemis's tent, and stepped inside.

All the Hunters were assembled there in rows (yes, it's that big), and they appeared to be waiting for me. This can't be good.

Just to keep up pretenses, I bowed and said "My Lady."

"Kneel before me," Artemis said from her throne, and I kneeled, about 5 feet away from her. "We have an announcement to make."

Positive that she was going to let me into the Hunters, I didn't say anything.

"You have broken the rules on all three of your trials."

"What?" I exploded. "I did everything right!"

She raised an eyebrow at me. "Silence. In your first task, you broke too many branches on

our prized tree."

My jaw twitched and I barely held in my anger.

"Secondly, you deceived me into thinking you were in serious danger, so I didn't see you draw back your arrow."

I chuckled a little bit at that. That was fun. Except for the small explosion afterwards.

"And thirdly, you didn't put your own armor on for the sword fight."

"I couldn't! I could barely move! And it was your fault!"

She ignored me. "So, I declare all of your tasks invalid. You have start from the beginning."

I saw red. There was no way I was going to do all of those pronking things again.

"Why? Why do you put me through this?"

Artemis smiled lazily. "Because I don't want you here. And I'll keep doing exactly what I'm doing until you quit."

I stood up. A couple of the Hunters shifted, like they were getting ready to protect Artemis in case I turned rabid (wouldn't be the first time).

Then, I realized something about Artemis. "You are a child. You are a spoiled little brat who refuses to grow up like everyone else. And you won't, because you leech onto the protection of your daddy and your big bad older brother. You know full well that I deserve to be in here, but you are too selfish to think of anyone but yourself. That's why you broke your vow. Zeus probably wasn't giving you enough attention, so you acted out. And I'm re result of your stupid choice, but you don't want to deal with anyone who questions your way of living! I feel sorry for you. It must be hard not being able to do anything by yourself, always relying on others to carry you through." Two pockets, two choices.

Artemis stood up angrily, and her aura started glowing fiercely. "You are going to regret every word you just said."

"I doubt it." I said.

I slipped my hand into my pocket, and disappeared.

AN2: Yes, another cliff-hanger. Yes, another reason to egg my house. Review if you liked, lie if you didn't (kidding). Sorry for the rushed feel (yet again.) Thanks, and gods bless. PS: 206.