To ThatFanWarrior- Um, I didn't know he was 'your' Maximus Jackson, but, um, so incredibly sorry for killing him off and all that… I like that last bit though- Think of Ava! More importantly, THINK OF MEEEEEE.

Guys, I've been watching Gravity Falls secrets unlocked and whatnot on YouTube! Oh my gods, there's so much I didn't know! Who watches it? If you look closely at the theme song, when it's the trees and their shadows are passing over the ground, there's a flicker by the furthest tree and somebody caught it and it could possibly be Bigfoot!

Crystal knew something was wrong when Nico woke her up early. He was in deep shadow black armour. Percy was next to him in more traditional armour and both of them had swords in their belts.

"I've got to take you home." Nico told her.

"Why?" Nico mulled over his thoughts before replying.

"There's something we've got to do."

"What?" Crystal demanded, sitting up. "What's going on?" Her thoughts flashed to Alvie and worry flooded through her.

"Crystal, we really need to go."

"Let me help."

"But-"

"No." Nico repeated firmly, effectively shutting her up.

Crystal glowered, throwing back the covers sulkily. They left her to get changed and gather her things and she met them outside.

Nico didn't give her a chance to ask Percy questions, grabbing her shoulder. Everything suddenly went cold and dark, the wind shredding at her skin.

As quickly as it had started, it was over. Crystal stumbled, Nico catching her by the elbow.

"Wh-?"

"Shadow travel." Crystal smiled, dazed and swaying on the spot. Her head was spinning like crazy, but she grinned like an idiot with excitement.

"So cool…" Nico smiled grimly and led her into the block of flats. As they walked through the lobby, waited for and in the lift and made their way to Nico's apartment, nobody batted an eyelid at Nico's armour.

When Joy opened the door, it took her a few seconds to notice Nico's new style. Then again, she was more focused on her stumbling, woozy daughter. She turned to Nico demandingly, faltering when she realised his new fashion.

"She'll be fine." Nico assured. "Shadow travel does that sometimes." He looked at Crystal. "Go on up and get some rest." Crystal nodded and stumbled away. She stopped out of sight to eavesdrop on their conversation.

"Where are you going?" Joy asked softly. Crystal recognised worry in her mother's tone. She peered around the corner to see her mother holding Nico's face in her hands, Nico's fingers curled around her wrists.

"That doesn't matter." He told her quietly. "Don't worry, we'll be fine." He gave a reassuring smile.

"Be careful." Joy pleaded. Nico kissed her forehead.

"No choice." He grinned cheekily. Then he was gone, just like that.

Joy hovered hesitatingly in the doorway for a few seconds before sighing and closing the door with a soft click. She pulled her phone from her pocket, staring at it as he debated something. Eventually, she tapped in a number and held the phone to her ear. She walked about slowly, nervously, pacing about while the phone rang.

"Percy? Yeah, hi. No, I'm OK, I just… I need a favour." Joy paused. "Can you… can you make sure Nico comes back?" Percy must have said something, teasing her, as her cheeks faded pink. "I've lost years with him and… and I can't…" Joy faltered. "And there's… I'm not… I'm not leaving again. I'm not scared now, I want him involved." Joy turned and Crystal ducked back out of sight, her mind whirring. "No, I haven't- not yet, no. I will. She has the right to know. I'll tell her later, don't lecture me. Just do your job please." She cut off a few seconds later, sighing and running a hand through her hair tiresomely. She turned and started walking towards Crystal. Panicking, Crystal escaped to her room and dived under the covers seconds before Joy walked in. Crystal pretended to be asleep and Joy prodded her 'awake'.

"Oh, hey Mom…" Crystal feigned sleepiness, praying that went OK. "You OK?" She was genuinely concerned for her mother, no need to fake that.

"Crystal, sweetie, I need to tell you something…"

Alvie could barely keep himself awake. They kept shocking him as Luke grew frustrated at how little of replies Alvie gave him.

Max didn't do anything. He probably wasn't capable of doing anything unless Luke ordered it so.

At some point, after countless shocks and questions, Luke waved the men with electric spears away. He towered over Alvie, glowering and deadly. Alvie made himself look up at Luke, trying to keep calm and not show fear.

Luke moved suddenly and had Alvie by the throat in a sudden death grip. Alvie choked.

"Going to answer my questions yet?" Alvie didn't answer that one either and Luke jarred his arm, smacking Alvie's head on the back of the chair. Stars danced in Alvie's vision and he saw two Luke's. "Last chance, brat." Luke snarled.

"No…" That was probably the first word Alvie had said in gods knew how long Luke had kept him in here. He had refused point blank to answer those questions, shaking his head or staying quiet, but now he was openly defying Luke.

He was saved from further punishment by one of Luke's men running in. He was drenched to the skin, shivering and chattering. He pointed frantically, jabbering something Alvie didn't understand. Luke faced him, his anger redirected. The man visibly paled in fear.

"Jackson's here?" The man nodded, shaking from head to foot in sheer terror. Luke growled, swirling back to Alvie. "Max, watch the brat. I've got some pests to take care of." Luke stormed out, the man stumbling after him.

Alvie turned to his brother. Max was staring at him, but not really seeing him, not recognising him. Normal Max wouldn't have stood by and let Luke electrocute Alvie until he could barely keep himself awake. Nor would he have tied Alvie down to let Luke do that in the first place.

"Untie me." Alvie pleaded. "Please untie me. I can get you help. I'll try, I promise, just… just please untie me…" Max remained unresponsive. "Dad's here. The others are too, probably." Alvie stared at his brother, his eyes stinging as he realised how hopeless his attempts were.

Sighing, he turned his attention to the straps holding him in place. He had made things move before- small things for short periods of time- could he untie the straps?

He tried. He tried as hard as he could, but he couldn't focus, more worried about his brother's predicament and his family. Where were they? Were they OK? How many of them were here and who were they?

Percy and Annabeth, definitely. Tobias most likely, unless he was ordered to stay behind to watch the younger children. Louisa most likely as she loved causing trouble and kicking ass. Leo, maybe- he too might have stayed behind to keep the younger children safe. Sage… possibly. Percy was a bit stricter on what his daughter could and couldn't do- she wasn't allowed a boyfriend until ten years after she moved out and she was only eight. Elsie and Alokia… no, where were they? Had the others found them yet?

Alvie rested his pounding head against the chair and sighed miserably, his eyes burning.

Unconsciousness tugged at his mind. He gave in; his head feeling like the Hulk was ripping it in two.

He saw Elsie and Alokia huddled in a small, dark room; their wrists shackled and chained to the wall. Alokia was absolutely terrified- Alvie could only see her trembling outline, but he sensed her fear and it nearly knocked him off his feet. Emphasis on nearly- he wasn't really here.

Light suddenly flooded the small room, displaying rocky walls. A shadow fell over the sisters and then a cold laugh. Harvey stepped further into the room, kneeling next to Alokia. Elsie spat at him, ordering him away from her sister. Harvey just laughed, shoving her harshly away.

Dread welled in his stomach as a horrible, icy warning flooded down his spine. Alvie knew Harvey was going to do something- something irreparable and soul-destroying. Alokia struggled against him, kicking out and crying fearfully. Elsie struggled against the chains, cursing Harvey to Tartarus as he freed Alokia's chain from the wall and dragged her out of Elsie's reach.

Alvie had to do something, anything. But what?

He looked around frantically, but settled with shouting. He ran at Harvey, no idea as to what he could do.

Well, he passed right through Harvey, but it was horrible. He had faded through rocks and trees before, but never through a person. He was struck by an onslaught of emotions, of thoughts and of characteristics and none of them, from Harvey, was pleasant. The horror of it all sickened Alvie to the stomach and he felt light-headed, dirty and weak at the knees.

But Harvey must have sensed something different, a moment of disorientation or blankness. He looked around, looking straight through Alvie, but he saw nothing and decided to return to Alokia.

Panic seared through Alvie like a lightning strike. Alokia was crying, fighting and screaming against Harvey, half his size and just over a third of his weight. Elsie was shouting and cursing to high Olympus, furiously battling the chains, trying to rip them from the wall.

No, no, no… Alvie instinctively tried to pull Harvey away, hitting and kicking him. His attacks just fazed through Harvey and Alvie protested in frustration.

Then, as if his prayers were answered, an axe lodged itself in between Harvey's shoulders and he slumped. Alokia screamed in terror and Elsie froze, staring in bewilderment at the figure in the doorway.

Um… that'll do for tonight. I can't think of ideas to write. But it's the weekend! I'll try and get something, promise! :D