This is what most of you have been waiting for: Percy versus Nico. Enjoy... or not...

To all the reviewers from the last chapters: Have some more cookies (::)

Percy

Percy didn't understand what the flashing images meant to Frank and Leo. Based on their reactions watching the twisted slideshow, he probably didn't want to know. Leo's pictures had a lot of depressing images of people and places that didn't click with Percy's mental image of Leo. Frank's mostly had pictures of random things that seemed to have no connection. But they obviously meant something, because the two of them had beat each other bloody over them.

After a quiet night in sick bay and plenty of ambrosia, they were pretty much okay. Their newly restored arms and hearing, for Leo and Frank, respectively, worked normally as well. The eight demigods were now gathered in the dining room eating lunch, where Leo had moved the anti-listening device to, in order to not attract unwanted attention by always going to Annabeth's room.

"There's only two duels left. Is the plan still going to work?" Nico bluntly asked. Percy didn't like the plan. It meant that everyone would have to risk their lives, not just him and Jason. To be honest, he didn't want Jason to risk it either. Call it a hero complex, but to Percy it was just a matter of protecting his friends.

"Can't we just keep the deals we made with Lyssa?" Percy asked, already knowing the answer. Annabeth glared at him, her beautiful grey eyes narrowing.

"You know why we can't. Besides, if we don't capture Lyssa, you know what's going to happen? She's just going to take some other victim's form instead. She prefers to use yours or Jason's. That doesn't mean she won't just use yours," she looked around the table, almost daring anyone to contradict her. Nobody did, not even Percy. "Okay, we've got that over with. Now, Leo, did you finish making the golden netting?" All heads turned to the son of Hephaestus (except Nico).

The said mechanic nodded. "I think it might be too small, though. Anyone want to help me melt down some more Imperial gold later for the rest of the netting?" Hazel raised her hand. Frank looked from her to Leo, and raised his hand too. Leo didn't seem to notice Frank's suspicious glance, and nodded happily. Percy noticed, though, and frowned. He didn't want to believe it at first, but now… Lyssa's actually right—there are tensions between us, even after a freaking war with Gaea! Almost involuntarily, Percy glanced at Nico. The son of Hades was talking quietly to Jason. Nico still didn't have his sight back.

"I'm going to be in one of the next duels," Nico spoke up suddenly. Percy resisted the urge to jump in his seat.

"What? How do you know?" Hazel asked with concern. Jason looked worried as well.

"Frank and Leo got their normal abilities back after their duel. Piper got her speech back, but Lyssa didn't remove it again. So, that means that after a fight, she plans to give it back. That means Piper won't be in any more duels—" Jason hugged Piper tightly. "—but I definitely will." Percy hated to think about it, but Nico's reasoning made sense. But then, that meant…

Jason reached the same unfortunate conclusion as Percy. "Lyssa also said that everyone would got at least twice. Everyone has, except me, Percy and Nico." There was a brief silence. Then the three girls—Piper, Hazel, and Annabeth—all reacted. Hazel kissed Nico's cheek reassuringly. Piper wove her fingers through Jason's blond hair tenderly. And Annabeth and Percy? Well, they might've had a full-on makeout session. Okay, fine. They totally did. And, Percy had to admit, it was pretty awesome.

Percy was vaguely aware of Frank awkwardly joining Hazel and Nico, and Leo telling a joke to Jason to lighten the mood. But soon, all his attention was on Annabeth. Sharp, witty, blond-haired, grey-eyed Annabeth, the girl he'd literally gone through hell for. Their lips crashed. He held her tightly, pulling her close.

"We saved the world. Twice. We beat Gaea's stinkin' butt. We can handle a minor goddess, right?" he whispered into her ear. He felt, rather than saw, her wry smile.

"Don't get cocky, Seaweed Brain," she breathed, pulling away slightly so she would look him in the eye. Grey eyes met green. "I forgive you," she murmured softly. Percy held her even more tightly. He didn't have to ask what she forgave him for—it was for everything.

"Thanks, Wise Girl."

An hour later, everything went downhill. Everyone was just relaxing, trying to ignore the fact that their lives were in constant danger. Percy had even persuaded Annabeth to watch Finding Nemo with him. Of course, just as she'd admitted that it was a good movie, the demigods were all transported to the training room with no ceremony. Percy actually saw Leo land on his butt.

"Duel Number Nine. Nico di Angelo, the spawn of Hades—" Nico bristled, and Percy could swear that he saw the shadows around the demigods lengthening. "—will face… hmm… how about Percy Jackson?" A spotlight shone on Percy from out of nowhere, and another one highlighted Nico. They both squinted, blinded by the bright light. Wait. Nico can see?

"I can see!" Nico gasped, suddenly looking much younger. Like he would look if Percy hadn't failed to save Bianca. Percy clenched his teeth. Guilt wouldn't help him now.

"Did you think I was going to let you fight blind?" Lyssa snorted. "That wouldn't be even mildly entertaining! Now, let the duel of di Angelo versus Jackson commence! Nico, dearie, I believe you have some things to say?" The harsh reality of their situation hit Percy like a ton of bricks. He spun around frantically. The others were bound against the walls by invisible cords again. Annabeth's eyes met Percy's. She mouthed something, fierce determination in her eyes, in the set of her chin, and in the defiant expression Percy loved about her. I forgive you, Seaweed Brain. Percy had not time to dwell on that. The Furores wrapped around him, close enough that he could feel their suffocating presence, but not actually physically touching him.

"Percy." The voice was quiet, menacing. "Perseus Jackson." It was smoky-eyed Nico, walking slowly like he didn't have a care in the world. His steps were measured—the word was precise. "Slayer of the Titan Kronos. Savior of Olympus." Percy couldn't move. Nico's steady gaze was freezing him, penetrating, unforgiving. "One of the Seven. Praetor of Camp Jupiter. Hero of Camp Half-Blood." Nico was almost directly in front of Percy now. But Percy was still frozen. The way Nico said those titles… "Recipient of two Great Prophecies. Survivor of the demigod world. Son of one of the Big Three." Nico's voice lowered to a deadly whisper. An unnatural chill washed over Percy. "Wielder of Riptide. Boyfriend of Annabeth CHASE!" Sudden fury made Nico roar the last word. Percy suddenly unfroze. For some reason, the Furores weren't affecting him yet. And he intended to take full advantage of that.

"Nico. Nico, look at me." The demigod looked Percy straight in the eye unflinchingly. Whereas his expression had been calm, mask-like, and blank before, now his entire demeanor changed. His face was full of hate. "Nico, this isn't you. Snap out of it. Please. Stop." Percy's voice broke.

But it was the wrong thing to say. "STOP?! What do you think I've been trying to do?! Exactly that! STOP! You were an unattainable hero! You broke Calypso's heart, for Hades' sake! You were taken! But could I stop? NO! Do you know how many times I wished I could stop? Not just with you, but… the whole… thing!" Nico ended in a strangled sort of sob. The spirits around him darkened to a dark grey, almost black. They swirled with more intensity than before. "It hurt, Jackson. It hurt," he whispered. "It still does."

Percy was shocked. Speechless. He tried to say something. "Uh—Nico—"

"Please, don't bother," Nico straightened up, his fingers creeping towards his sword hilt. His already dark eyes were full of black smoke, wisps of darkness twisting through tendrils of hair, and black steam rising off of him. "Say goodbye, Perseus." The chill came over Percy again. Just as he thought things couldn't get any worse, they did.

The Furores converged upon Percy. He uncapped Riptide, slashed, dodged, stabbed, and tried to fight them off, but to no avail. They were just too strong. It'll be all right, hero, they whispered. Just trust us. Let go. We'll do all the hard work for you. Don't worry. Let us help. We're happy to help! Trust us by letting go. Percy felt his eyelids growing heavy. The Furores were helping him. They were good. He trusted them. So he closed his eyes.

When they opened again, they were a smoky grey. He knew exactly what to do, and he intended to do it. "You want a fight, death boy? You'll get one!" Riptide got pulled out, and was slashed at Nico's face. No. It didn't get pulled out. Percy pulled it out.

"I've been waiting for this chance," his adversary replied coldly. The two blades—one Stygian iron, one Celestial bronze—met. One good hit on Nico's part would shatter Percy's soul, if he even had one at the moment. But Percy was bigger. He was stronger. He could win. He would win.

He dodged a strike at his head, and returned the favor with a cut at Nico's arm. Blood leaked out. Good. Blood is liquid! Percy thought maniacally. He focused on lifting the blood up, then splashed it onto Nico's feet. Nico slipped and fell, only barely managing to stay upright. He met Percy's eyes. Brown, Percy noted, before Nico dropped his sword with a clatter. "Oh my gods!" Nico gasped. The Furores around him hissed. Then his eyes were smoky once more. Seizing the chance, Percy kicked the son of Hades' sword behind him. Nico cried out in anger and with a loud crack, skeletons rose. They melted through the walls. They advanced from the ceiling. They surrounded Percy. Two pinned him down, and Percy concentrated. A tug at his gut told him that indeed, he'd managed to break the plumbing pipes again. A jet of water shot out at the line of deathly warriors, pinioning them down from sheer force. Percy rose to his feet and glared at Nico.

Growling, the boy who used to have green eyes advanced, and with a swift kick and jab, forced Nico to his knees. Percy pressed Riptide against Nico's neck. "I'll kill you," he said softly, but his eyes were hard. He would do it.

A punch, more bones, a clatter, a wave of darkness, a headlock, blood rising into the air, a crunch, skeletal hands grabbing ankles, a kick, more water. At the end, only one person was left standing in a pool of blood.

*hides* I'm sorry...