The Darkness Is Coming

Will Is Both Helpful And Unhelpful

Third Person POV

"They could be a lot worse. Percy's got minor burns, mostly on his arms and legs. He's got minor lung damage from smoke inhalation and he's dehydrated, probably from trying to fight the fire. We suspect Leo has a concussion, but we can't be certain until he's awake. He's also got a lot of scratches on his arms and legs, we aren't sure what those are from." Will told Nico. The son of Hades was standing in the infirmary watching the two unconscious demigods.

"Probably running through the woods for some fool reason." Nico said.

"Nico, what happened out there?" Will asked quietly.

"Not a clue, but from what Percy was muttering, they were trying to catch Percie. I'd say Leo flamed her and it got out of control. She must have gotten away, maybe she was chasing Leo and that's why he's got those scratches."

Will nodded.

"Tell me when they wake up." Nico walked out of the building and looked to the forest. It was still aflame, but not as much as it had been earlier. He could see demigods running around, putting it out bit by bit. There were also tree nymphs being comforted at the loss of their homes. (Do tree nymphs die when their trees do? I don't remember)

"All because of one stupid girl." Nico muttered.

"She worked hard to make a mess of all this..." Piper muttered from next to him.

"Yeah, I noticed." The son of Hades scowled.

"That witch has a lot to pay for."

"And we're going to dish it out, once we get her." Nico promised.

Piper nodded. "I'm going to go help the others take the fire down. What are you doing?"

"I'm going to wait until Percy and Leo wake up, then talk to them."

Piper nodded and ran off. Nico turned his back to the forest and looked down, sighing.

What he didn't see was a tiny hurricane appearing around Piper. When it disappeared, she was gone.

-------------------------------------

"They're up." Will called out the door. "At least, Percy is."

"Leo still out of it?"

"Yes. He probably will be for a while." Will sighed. "I think he might be in a coma."

Nico nodded and moved past Will into the room.

Percy's eyes were only half open, but he could see that the son of Poseidon was awake and attentive.

"How are you feeling?"

"Like crap." Percy grunted. His voice was scratchy from all the smoke he had inhaled.

"Really? Never would have guessed." Nico crossed his arms. "What happened."

"Percie was trying to get me to be a spy for her...Leo and I...devised a plan, we thought we could get her. But...when she was trapped in the ring...of fire Leo made, she...said something to him and he just went ballistic. The flames went out of control and she began...to chase him through them. Eventually he tripped...and hit his head really hard on a tree...and I had to grab him and keep going. I didn't have enough power to pull water...all the way from the lake and the air was too dry...we barely made it out, to be honest." Percy's explanation had been riddled with pauses and the occasional coughing fit.

"At least the two of you are alive." Nico finally said. "Will, how's Leo coming?"

"Still comatose."

"He's in a coma?" Percy tried to push himself up to see the son of Hephaestus.

"We assume it's from the head trauma." Will said.

"He hit his head hard, but not that hard. Lemme see him." Percy started to get up, but Will pushed him back down.

"No. You're staying there until you've had some decent care."

"Let me see Leo!" Percy insisted.

"No! Lie down!" Will snapped. The son of Poseidon was surprised by his tone and sunk back onto his bed.

"Why do you want to see Leo?" Nico asked as Will shuffled off to get something.

"I just want to see one thing." Percy said quietly.

"What is it? I can tell you if I see it." The son of Hades offered.

"Are his eyes twitching under their lids?" Percy asked.

Nico went over to Leo's bed. "Yes. Why?"

"It might not be what I think it is, but..." Percy trailed off and Nico turned to him, opening his mouth to ask what it was.

"Will!" The son of Apollo had silently attached a new drip to Percy's IV. "What did you do?!"

"He needs to sleep. You can talk to him later." Will insisted.

"He had something important to say!"

"It can't be so important that it can't wait a few hours."

"Will, you insufferable human being!"

"Watch it, Death Breath."

[A/N What was Percy gonna say? I know, but do you?]