Darkness's Flower: Pulling It Together

Chapter 2: Chance of Freedom

~Lilly~

Just after Hades pulled me away from my boyfriend and had me disappear in black mist, I was in a room with him and Persephone. Hades started chanting something, raising his hands above his head. I felt a jolt that went through my body and a bright light blinded me. And when I could see again, I was looking over at myself.

I looked down. I'm Persephone, not Lillian. I started crying. But I had to brush it off because of Hades taking us back to see Nico. He told us that he would zap Nico's memory so he wouldn't remember. My poor boyfriend won't realize that I'm suck in the Underworld and his girlfriend is actually Persephone. Once Nico saw us, he relaxed some.

"Lilly!" he yelled.

Persephone looked at Nico and smiled. He ran over to her and picked her up in a hug. She didn't do anything. And it honestly killed me. I know he thinks it's me, but I never thought he would ever hug anyone else besides me. It hurts, it really does.

"What's wrong? Father! What did you do to her?! What did you do to my Lillian?!" Nico demanded.

Hades grinned. "Nothing! You better go back to your little camp."

Nico looked over at me. I was almost in tears. I wanted to scream and cry and be in Nico's arms. But he only looked at me, clueless.

"Father, can I have a moment with Persephone? Alone?" Nico asked.

"Sure. Whatever," Hades replied.

He disappeared and Nico came over to me, kneeling down with some confusion in his dark eyes. He took my hand in his and that's when I almost lost it completely.

"Persephone, what's wrong with you?" he asked, his voice soft and calm.

A tear trickled down the side of my face. "It's me, Nico. I'm not Persephone! I'm your girlfriend!"

He froze. "Lilly, but-"

"He switched our souls! He said he likes me more than Persephone! I'm trapped in her body!"

"How can I be sure?"

"You can ask me anything about us and I will give you the correct answer!"

Nico thought for a moment. I know he's gonna try and think of something that only I would know. And of course I would! I can remember everything about our relationship because I love him so much.

"What movie did we watch the night you got kidnapped by Khione?" he asked.

"Star Wars. And I got kidnapped early the next morning, not that night," I replied.

"Oh my gods. Why would he-"

"He likes me better! I can't get out! He now won't even let me leave for those whatever months Persephone was allowed. I'm stuck down here forever, Nico."

"Oh, Lilly. I'm so sorry! I'll get you out of this. I swear on the River Styx."

"Sorry to break your little moment, but it's time for you and Lilly to leave!" Hades boomed.

"Father! Let her go! Why would you do this?!" Nico asked.

"She's already told you! I like her better, but I like Persephone's looks better. I simply traded their souls. At least you have Persephone as Lilly. You won't know the difference! Now, goodbye, son!"

Nico looked back at me, pain in his eyes. "I'll get you back."

Hades zapped him out of the Underworld before I could say anything. Of course, I was different. I looked like Persephone. I didn't want to, but I looked like her anyways.

"Hades, why would you do this? Nico said it earlier! He wants to love me, so don't ruin it. Well, guess what, you ruined it! You might've zapped his memory away, but he'll figure it out eventually. I know it," I said.

"Sorry to burst your bubble, sweetheart, but Nico isn't your boyfriend anymore. You're my wife!" Hades voice echoed across the room.

"No, I'm not, actually. Persephone is. I'm Lilly, not Persephone. And don't call me sweetheart!"

He disappeared, leaving me on the floor. I sat there with my arms crossed like a pouting little kid. I refused to move. I didn't sleep for what seemed like months. Nico hasn't came down here and I wouldn't speak to Hades. I just sat there in the darkness of his slashed-up throne room, waiting.

Hades walked into the throne room and looked at me. "Lillian, you have to do something!"

I closed my eyes and continued to sit there. I heard him leave. I was bored. I looked down at the dress Persephone was wearing. It was mostly black velvet. Sleeves covered my arms. A little bit of red covered the very top. It was a little bit too showy for my comfort. I touched my hair. Well, Persephone's hair, but you know what I mean. It was dark. Very, very dark and went down to my hips. I started braiding it. It took me forever and I ended up with this very complicated brain thing. I can't explain it. Then I took it out.

Hades came back and sat in his throne and sighed. "That's it. I want my actual wife back. You're so boring. I'm giving you a chance to prove your worth. You will go back up to the mortal world. Find Persephone and Nico and help him bring her back down here. I will also have Hecate use the Mist on you so you will look different. You must bring Persephone to me, or you will never get to see Nico again. Understood?"

"Yes! I won't fail you!"

He sighed again and flashed me up to the mortal world. I hit the ground. It hurt really bad. I was at the top of Half-Blood Hill. I looked at myself. I had dark jeans on and a hot pink shirt. My hair fell over my shoulder. It was blonde. Not the color of Annabeth's hair, but even lighter.

"Oh, gods. This isn't good," I muttered.

I started walking down the hill to find my boyfriend.