Chapter 9: Nightmares

Madison's POV

The extra security was starting to get on my nerves. Every time I looked out my door to my room, there were guards outside. Even outside my balcony, they were everywhere. There seemed to be no privacy anymore besides in my room. They also seemed to be watching me more than the boundaries of the city and all the other merfolks and sea creatures.

I'm starting to think that Poseidon put extra security on me more rather than the boundaries. All I know is, I have to get away. I need time to think and swim around freely without being watched 24/7 and trapped up in my room.

I went out onto my balcony. I looked at every angle and when some guards looked up at me, I gave them a warm smile. As soon as they looked away, I checked every angle. I would only have a split second before they rounded again. I jumped off the balcony and landed on my feet. I jumped into the water and propelled myself through the water.

I just made it out of the boundaries unseen I hope. I made my way to my secret underwater cave. I discovered it a few years back and only come here if I really need to. I surfaced and hopped out of the water. My legs returned and I laid down on the floor thinking.

What could possibly be the Titan's next move? They're trying to find out my secret and once they find out, who knows what they'll try to do. They also poisoned Thalia's Pine, but what could be the purpose of that?

I decided to go back to camp and wait for Percy to return, but I heard some noises under the water. I hid around the cave corner. Two figures popped out.

"Where could she be? Lord Poseidon will not be pleased with her missing."

"Well she isn't here. We need to head back. Too many are out looking leaving the palace unguarded."

The two dove back down and I let out a sigh of relief.

I waited a few minutes for the guards to get a few miles away and then I dove back down and headed to the shore of Camp Half-Blood.

Once I made it to the beach, I headed for the dinning pavilion because they were having lunch at this time.

When I walked in, I noticed everyone looking at an image. I looked up at it and saw Percy, Annabeth, Grover, and Tyson standing on a boat with a bunch of monsters and they were facing a blonde haired boy who looked very familiar.

"Admit it, Luke," Percy yelled at Luke, who I realize was the traitor from the Hermes cabin. "You poisoned Thalia's Pine."

"Yes, I have already told you that it was me. Why do you keep making me say it?"

"So our audience can hear." Percy said while motioning towards us. I smiled at him. He may be a Seaweed Brain, but he can be a genius.

Luke turned around and his eyes widened with shock. He took his sword and slashed through the mist. The image faded.

Lunch was over very soon after that. I was just happy that Chiron's name was cleared, but I was worried about Percy and the others. They were surrounded by monsters. Everyone was wondering where Clarisse was with the Fleece.

Then someone shout for the whole camp to come to the hill quick. I made my way through the crowd and saw Clarisse coming up the hill with the Fleece. Instead of making her way to the tree, she walked my way. She looked into my eyes, and then she did the most unthinkable thing. She knelt down in front of me, shocking the whole camp and even me.

I guess Percy must have told her already. I leaned down and whispered into her ear:

"Please, no need for formal greetings. We don't want to make a scene."

She got up and nodded her head. "Now, go put the Fleece on Thalia's Pine."

She started walking towards the tree, but turned around and faced me. "I'm sorry about my father."

I was taken aback by her apology as was everyone else. No one else knows what happened, but a child of Ares apologizing for their own father would cause anyone to go into shock.

I nodded and looked down not wanting to think about that horrible thing that happened.

Once she put the Fleece on the tree, I started to shimmer and return to normal health. Everyone cheered and the Ares cabin put Clarisse on their shoulders and carried her off.

Everyone left the hill, but I decided to stay and wait for Percy and the rest return. I looked at the Fleece as it shimmered. I knew it was going to do more than just bring the tree back to health and restore the border. I know all about the Fleece and what it can do. I hope the camp is ready for what is to come because they are in for a BIG surprise.

I leaned against the tree and dozed off into a deep sleep.

Aaron was standing next to Luke near a coffin.

Luke spoke. "Jackson and his friends got away. They have already gotten the Fleece to the camp."

A deep voice boomed from inside the coffin. "What about the girl? Did you find out more?"

"Yes, My Lord," Aaron stepped up. "I am Oceanus' second-in-command and found out more about Madison's powers. We tried to convince her to join us, but she refused. So I attacked her with a small army. I knew she could handle the army; it was just a ploy to find out more about her powers. We have already established that she is part mermaid and has great power over the sea as well as the hearth it seems. She created an air bubble in the water and burnt the creatures to dust. She also used it to heal herself which is how I know it is the hearth and not just fire. She has great agility skills as well and has a lot more powers that we have yet to uncover."

"I see…" The Titan Lord paused for a moment. "It can't be… It's impossible… unless… Luke find this girl immediately and bring her to me. She is hiding a very big secret that I think I know. Aren't you?"

My eyes widened in shock from where I was hiding and a white light flashed.

I woke with a start. I could tell my face was pale.

"Madison, are you all right?"

I looked up and came face to face with Percy. He must see how pale I am because his eyes filled with concern.

I felt the color return to my face. "Y… Ya… I… I'm f… f… fine." I choked out.

He didn't seem to believe me, but he let it go.

"Come on it is getting late. Chiron is back and Tantalus is gone."

He helped me to our feet and we headed towards our cabin. Before, we made it in, the siren went off and we rushed to the Hill. There was a girl lying on the ground and everyone was surrounding her and they all looked like they were in shock. That is when I realized who it was. I knew it was going to happen one way or another. Her prophecy stated she would one day return and I knew it had to be with the help of the Fleece.

Percy ran to her aid. "She needs help. Why are you all just standing there?"

The girl spoke up. "I am Thalia, daughter of Zeus."

Percy's eyes widened and I walked up. "I figured this would happen."

"You knew?" Annabeth spoke up.

"Her prophecy stated that she would one day return. I assumed with the Fleece being put on her Pine that it would help her escape the tree."

"Does she know?" Percy asked me. I knew he was talking about my secret.

"Yes," I replied. "She knew I was 7, Annabeth's age at the time, when she met me."

"Madison?" Thalia spoke up for the second time.

"It's good to see you again Thalia." I gave her a warm smile and she returned it.

Some Apollo kids carried her off to the infirmary. Everyone went back to their cabins to go to sleep.

Once we were in the cabin, Tyson smiled at me and Percy turned towards me.

"How long have you been the Phoenix?"

"Ever since I was 7. Thalia was running away with Luke and Annabeth. I met her along the way when Annabeth and Luke stayed hidden while Thalia went to go get food. I found her and told her who I was and she told me that I was her little sister now and we had to look after each other. We had to protect my secret and she told me it was safe with her. Every time she was alone, we would meet up. She would always look after me because I was only 7 and Zeus allowed me to leave and see her because she was his daughter and Poseidon and Hestia said I needed a friend. We became really close until she got turned into a tree." A tear ran down my cheek. Percy came and wiped it off with his hand. I smiled up at him and our eyes met.

"But, now she's back and everything will be alright now." Percy reassured me.

I hugged him and he gladly returned it. The tears went away until he asked me what had me worried on the hill before Thalia's reappearance.

My face paled again and concern filled his eyes.

"Nothing." I quickly turned away.

"Madison, please tell me now. I don't want anything to happen to you. Something is bothering you and it worries me as well."

I sighed. "I had a dream with Aaron and Luke talking to the Titan Lord and I think he finally realized who I am. He told Luke and Aaron to find me and… bring me to him."

Now, Percy paled. "Madison, you're not safe."

"Percy, I can take care of myself."

"But Madison…"

"No, buts. Plus, we haven't even started your training. We keep getting interrupted, but no more. We are starting it tomorrow and I know you want to learn that trick where I lifted that monster off the ground and made her explode into dust."

His face lit up and he had on that crooked grin of his. I smiled too. I knew changing the subject would make him forget.

"Let's go to bed because after sword fighting and archery, we will begin."

We turned the lights out and I hoped that I wouldn't have a dream like before.

Percy's POV

I woke to someone screaming. I jumped up and saw Madison sitting up in bed panting.

"Are you alright?" I asked getting up out of bed and sitting next to her. I looked at the clock and it was 4 in the morning. I then looked at Tyson and he was still snoring. He is a heavy sleeper, but he always wakes up at exactly 7 in the morning.

She shook her head saying 'no'. I pulled her into a hug and she still gripped her knees, but she pushed up closer into my chest. I felt my face heat up. She must have really freaked out.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

She shook her head 'no' in my chest.

"Not now." She whispered.

She was still shaking and I had a felling it was more than just a regular nightmare. I cradled her in my arms and she started to calm down. Soon enough she fell asleep in my arms. I placed her carefully back down onto her bed and covered her back up. She looked peaceful and her nightmare was over. I couldn't help but stare at her and smile. I kissed her forehead. Maybe she would have a good night sleep now.

I finally fell asleep and it wasn't dreamless.

Two people were standing in front of a coffin.

A deep voice boomed from the coffin. "Have you done it?"

"Yes my Lord," I recognized the man (or I should say god) or Phobos. "I have found out her deepest fear and have told Hypnos here."

"My Lord, I have infiltrated her dreams finally. Something got her guard down and every time she sleeps her darkest fear will be seen and she will believe every second of it that it is real." Hypnos said.

"Excellent, soon she will be frightened to the point where she is vulnerable enough to be defeated. The Phoenix will be no more! Say goodbye to your 'girlfriend' Jackson. Phobos and Hypnos turned my way and Phobos slashed his sword at my face.

I woke with a start and heard a terrible scream.

I jerked my head towards Madison. She was still asleep and screaming. Tyson was up and trying to wake her but she wouldn't budge.

I bolted up and ran to Madison. I grabbed her hand to wake her, but as soon as I touched her she woke with a start. Tears were in her eyes and she was burning up with heat. I pulled her into a hug and she snuggled into my chest. I brushed her hair with my hand and told her to calm down and that she is safe.

"It's so real."

"I know it's okay."

She started to calm down. Once she was fully relaxed, I told her about my dream. She paled then the color returned to her face.

"Let's go get breakfast."

She got up and got ready while I waited on the bed. When she was done and we were walking to the dinning pavilion, I asked her:

"What is your biggest fear?"

She stopped in her tracks. She waited a minute then kept walking. I could tell she didn't want to talk about it.

Breakfast was very silent at our table. Madison didn't even eat. She just sat there twirling her fork. Then two Ares boys came up.

"Sis you hear that scream this morning? It sounded like a dying pig." The big one said.

The other smirked. "Ya, is little Madison scared?" He said like he was talking to a baby.

I clenched my fists. "Beat it before I make you!" I yelled. All eyes turned to me.

"Ohhhh, I'm soooo scared." The big one saying while laughing. The two both high fived each other.

Clarisse came over. "Eric, Jay, leave THEM ALONE!"

They both paled and scurried back to their table. Clarisse and Madison have become good friends it seems because Clarisse came over to Madison and asked if she was okay.

Madison got up from her seat not looking at anyone and ran out of the dinning pavilion. I called after her, but she didn't turn around. Clarisse went back to her table and smack her two brothers that made fun of Madison.

I ran out after Madison trying to find her.

I checked the beach and all I saw were her shoes lying on the ground. I knew she was in the sea. I dove in and rounded the reef three times. On my fourth round I saw a small hole in the reef that I didn't notice before. I swam in and surfaced in an underwater cave. I saw Madison sitting with her knees curled up to her chest in the corner.

"So much for my secret underwater cave huh?" She said.

"Uh…"

"Well, since you're here, we can do your training here without any interruptions."

"Wait… but…"

"I don't want to talk about before. Let's just start your training."

I didn't argue. I didn't want to upset her anymore.

We have been training with the basics for an hour and I was getting bored.

"Come on Madison, I already know all the basics. Can we get on with it?" I whined.

"Ugh, Seaweed Brain, You have to master the basics first."

"When do I get to learn that trick that you did with the Dracaenae?"

"Soon… Training is over for today."

I collapsed on the floor. Madison was back to sitting with her knees tucked to her chest.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing… just… thinking. Let's go back to camp. We have been gone for over an hour."

We swam back and kept our thoughts to ourselves.

When we made it to camp, Madison said she was going to see Thalia. She headed off towards the Zeus cabin.

The rest of the day went by quick. Madison was nowhere to be seen. I was worried about her.

It was getting dark and she didn't even come to the sing-a-long. When it was lights out, Madison came in. She didn't even say a word when I asked where she was. She just got ready for bed and got in it.

I couldn't sleep. I was really worried about Madison. I was pulled out of my thoughts by a scream. It was Madison. I got up and ran to her bed. I grabbed her hand and she calmed down and woke with a start.

"My dream stopped and wasn't a nightmare and then I woke up. What happened?"

"I just grabbed your hand and you calmed down."

She was thinking hard now.

She laid back down to go back to sleep. I started to get up, but was pulled back down by a hand grabbing me.

"Please stay." I turned and met Madison's eyes. "The dreams aren't as bad if you are here."

I smiled and pulled her into a hug. She laid down and I laid next to her. In minutes she was asleep and she looked peaceful. She rolled over onto my chest. My face heated up, but I didn't want to wake her so I let her sleep. Moments later I dozed off.

"Something is blocking out her fears in her dreams." Hypnos stated.

Kronos bellowed. "Well, what is it?"

Phobos spoke up. "Jackson. Every time he touches her while she sleeps, it blocks out the nightmares and he seems to be listening right now." Phobos turned to me and struck his sword at my face again.

I woke to someone breathing on my chest. Madison didn't stir in her sleep at all last night. She had a peaceful sleepless dream and didn't scream once more the whole night.

She should feel better today and she can tell me her fear when she is ready.