Chapter 19: The Seventh

Percy's POV

Madison and I were lying on the deck staring at the stars. It was the middle of the night and we just couldn't sleep. Tomorrow we will reach Greece. I sighed. Madison rolled on her side and stared up into my eyes.

"Worried about what will happen when we get to Greece?"

"Yeah, a little…"

"Greece is beautiful… I just wish we were on vacation and not risking everything."

"You've been to Greece?"

She looked back up at the stars and sighed. "Yeah… Once. My family went on a cruise around Europe for vacation. I loved looking at all the temples for the gods. I felt at home. The Parthenon was the best. I also saw Mt. Olympus…"

"You must have had fun…"

She smiled at me and I was about to kiss her when we were interrupted. "Hey lovebirds, can't sleep?"

We both jumped and looked up to see Reyna leaning over us smiling.

"Mind if I join you guys?"

"Sure…" I replied. "What do you want anyway?"

"Can't sleep, same as you. So Percy, why didn't you tell anyone at SPQR about you?"

I sighed. "There wasn't a point. No one would have believed me. You saw how everyone acted when I told them about Madison."

"I guess you're right. I would have believed you though. It would have been nice to know that we had the hero of Olympus at our camp amongst us."

I laughed and Madison joined in.

"Yeah it would have been nice right Reyna? So that way you could make sure he wasn't on your bad side. It seems you did that anyway and I am grateful that you were a friend to Percy." Madison spoke up. Reyna smiled at her and she returned it.

"We should try to get some sleep. We will make it to Greece tomorrow afternoon. We have to be careful when we enter land because we will be in Gaea's territory. So we need to be well rested and prepared for anything." Madison was right so we all got up to go to bed.

We got ready for bed and drifted off into a dreamless sleep into each other's arms.

I woke feeling a warm body on top of mine. I looked down and saw Madison sleeping in between me and the blanket. I smiled and kissed the top of her head. I laid there wondering what we will face in Greece. If the giants were involved, I knew it wouldn't be good.

I felt Madison stir awake. She looked up into my eyes.

"Morning Hothead," I said and smiled down at her.

"UGH, I hate mornings Seaweed Brain!" She whined. I laughed.

She got herself out of bed and went to the bathroom to change. I got ready quickly before she got out and we made our way to the kitchen once we were done.

We sat down to eat warm blueberry muffins that Piper and Jason made. They were great. They were so warm and melted in your mouth. I could even feel the heat of the muffin in my hand…

I looked down and saw that my hands were on FIRE! Madison saw and her eyes widened. She threw a rag over my hands and I hid them under the table.

"What was THAT about?" Jason asked.

"Nothing…" Madison and I quickly replied. She grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the room. We made our way to our room and locked the door behind me.

"Okay, your hands burning blue fire has something to do with the Phoenix and the mark on your back. It seems that you have a few powers over the Phoenix and you need to be aware and control it."

She was pacing back and forth thinking hard. I grabbed her arm to stop her and when I did, we began to glow again. I pulled away and the glowing stopped.

"WHAT is going on?" I asked really confused.

"I have no idea… Ever since you got the mark on your back, weird things have been happening. We just have to be more careful." I nodded my head in agreement. We then heard yelling on the deck and we charged out of the room.

Reyna, Bobby, Jason, Piper, and Leo had their weapons drawn on someone.

"Who are you?" Jason growled.

"Relax, I'm a friend and if you value a good fortune, I suggest you back off or I can make the rest of your life and beyond a living Hell, literally."

Everyone looked confused, but Madison and I knew that voice and threat all too well.

Madison ran through everyone and I followed behind.

"NICO," Madison yelled as she smashed him into a giant hug.

"Can't… Breathe…"

Madison pulled away and Nico gasped for breath.

"Gods, Madison!" Madison gave him a little punch in the arm. "Percy, what's up cuz?"

I laughed. "Nico…" We did one of those one arm manly hugs.

"Who is he?" Reyna asked.

"Everyone, meet Nico, son of Hades." Everyone looked at him with a funny yet horrifying look. Nico smirked.

"What's up zombie dude?"

"I see you got your memory back Perce."

"Yeah seems like it."

"Do you know how long I searched for you? Apparently, Madison forgot to tell me that she knew where you were and to stop looking."

"Opps, sorry Nico. It kind of slipped my mind." Madison said while rubbing her arm.

"Yeah, kind of." Nico crossed his arms.

"Don't give me that threatening look, di Angelo. Don't forget that I CAN burn you to pieces and I WILL!" Madison gave a devious smirk and Nico stopped looking so confident. I laughed.

"You two never change do you?" I asked.

They both shrugged and laughed. Everyone else stood there feeling awkward.

"What brings you here emo boy?" Madison asked.

"I am NOT emo! Why does everyone say that?"

Madison and I laughed. "You always wear black and spend all your time in the underworld. The only time you weren't emo looking was when Persephone turned you into a dandelion!" Madison smirked at Nico and he had a shocked expression on his face.

I busted out laughing. "Your stepmom turned you into a dandelion?" I asked in between laughs.

"It only happened once!" Nico gave Madison a death glare and she stuck her tongue out at him and laughed. "How did you find out?"

"I know all Nico, nothing gets by me. Just like your little quest in the underworld with Percy and Thalia. I know all about that and the sword. It is a wonder that I didn't tell Zeus and Poseidon about that."

Nico stood there with his mouth hanging open not sure how to reply. Madison smirked and I laughed as I put an arm around her.

"Wow, Nico speechless! That's a first!" I said teasingly.

He scowled. "Seriously, why are you here?" I asked.

Nico's face grew more serious. I saw a worried expression cross Madison's face and I began to worry.

"I have news. I shadow traveled to Greece and saw what awaits and the threats. It is not pleasant."

Our faces fell. This fight will not be a good one. We will be lucky enough to even survive.

"Thanks Nico, if that is all…" Madison started.

"You can't get rid of me that easily! I'm coming with you guys!"

Reyna piped up. "We already have seven as the prophecy states."

"No we do not…" Madison began.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"I'm technically not a half-blood. I am mortal with godly abilities. Nico is the seventh half-blood. I am not a part of the prophecy."

My face fell. "You can't leave Madison…"

"I'm not leaving. I will fight. I am just saying that Nico is the seventh. Remember when I defied the prophecy in the Titan war? I am changing the prophecy again. Apollo must be going ballistic because I keep changing the future. I'm not sure how, but I seem to be able to do that."

"That's impossible…" Reyna piped.

"It doesn't seem to be. I keep changing it and Apollo keeps going crazy. Athena had to calm him down last time. No one knows how I do it, I don't even know."

There was an awkward silence after that. I broke the silence.

"Nico how is everyone at camp?"

He smirked. "Luke and Annabeth seem to be getting real close, just saying. Chiron is still worried about you guys. Clarisse keeps trying to kill Luke for revenge against Silena's death. He still had the curse of Achilles. She is still being Clarisse. She said when you come back; she is going to force Percy to tell her Luke's Achilles spot. Annabeth is still constructing Olympus and camp back to normal and it looks great especially with the new cabins. Nice job Percy by the way. Dionysus is still a boring old stick in the mud that has no feelings towards others. So basically your average day at camp. Oh and Clarisse and Chris are together! Ha-ha, she punches anyone who makes fun of her for having feelings of love! The Aphrodite cabin is going into hysterics."

"We'll have to I.M. Chiron and everyone else at camp later. Nico needs to tell us what awaits us in Greece. We will be there in about an hour." Madison said. We all walked into the kitchen and sat around the table. Let the fun begin.