Archive of Our Own ^beta

He knew this was it. Their story would end in a pit of smoke and primordial flesh. He and Will had found Bob, Daemenson, and an entire litter of zombie kitties only to be surrounded by a hoard of vengeful monsters with no way out. The others were holding a circle around Nico and Will in a vain attempt at delaying the inevitable.

They couldn't make a path through the hoard and the Halfbloods were basically liabilities at this point. Will was weak and Nico was using every ounce of strength to hold him. To keep him close. It was probably insane but he'd rather go first. To cling to Will until the last moment. Until the very end.

A loud quake seemed to shake the battle field around him. It came in a rhythmic beat, not a heart, more like something huge was running towards them. The mob had noticed it too. Nico wouldn't have bothered to look at it. Afterall, what was another monster, no matter how big or scary, when you were already doomed?

That changed when he heard the howl.

He would know that howl anywhere. It was such a unique and beautiful howl that had brought a smile to his face on even the worst of days. He suspicions were confirmed when Will spoke. Tired and dazed he managed to mumble how weird it was to only hear one set of paws yet three distinct voices creating that howl...

Searching in the direction he had heard the howl, Nico was just able make out the shape of the best and biggest pup he knew. He was hard to see at first given the smoke and dark landscape but the closer he came the more solid he appeared. All three heads had their mouths open wide, panting hard, with their tongues lolling to the sides. He looked like he was having the time of his life as if romping through an open field rather than a pit of despair.

When Cerberus' eyes met with Nico's, the pupils were blown wide and had the gleam of a puppy that had found something they loved dearly. Instead of heading in their general direction, Cerberus adjusted his trajectory so that every inch of his body was pointed straight at them.

Upon reaching the edge of the hoard, the three headed dog's demeanor changed. He seemed to realize that this mass of monsters was between him and what he wanted. The three headed dog crouched low, teeth barred, a deep growl emanating from all three throats. The surrounding monsters must not have been very smart or they figured Cerberus was there to help them as they continued their onslaught.

This set the overgrown pup off. Cerberus jumped into the fray, paws stomping enemies into dust while others met his sharp teeth and succumbed to his powerful jaws. Some had the misfortune of drowning in the enormous gobs of drool that dripped off each of his mouths. (He's a big dog. It happens.) The dog continued to chomp down on the surrounding monsters until he finally reached the center.

Cerberus was so happy his middle head booped Nico (and by association Will) with his nose. This sent them sprawling backwards on the ground but Nico didn't care. He found himself laughing in both relief and hysteria. He had truly lost all hope of escaping Tartarus again until this wonderful beast of a boy showed up. Even sprawled on the ground the son of Hades could see Cerberus' tail wagging, knocking over any that tried to attack from behind and sweeping them away. Some were even sent catapulting through the air.

It felt like he could breathe for the first time in a long while. That swiftly changed when a set of sharp teeth dove toward them. Cerberus picked both demigods up in his center mouth as if they were a stuffed animal or his favorite toy. (Fragile ones but a toy nonetheless) Thankfully he was gentle, they weren't impaled and it was their lower half. He didn't want to think about having his head stuck in the giant dog's mouth.

A problem arose when Cerberus lifted his middle head up high and made to leave without the others.

"Wait!" Nico screamed. "We can't leave them!" His words caused Cerberus to hesitate. The other heads that had been growling and showing their teeth to the loitering monsters tilted in confusion. "Friends." It was a new word Nico had been trying to teach him. Too many quests had been sending demigods into the Underworld. Nico had wanted a way to let Cerberus know who was ok. He was only using it for frequent questers like Percy. Cerberus was still a guard dog after all.

Sadly, he was still learning the word and had never met Bob and Daemenson before. Resigned to having them share his fate, Nico gave a command he knew Cerberus understood. "Take them." Both heads seemed a bit hesitant as if unsure if they should. A firm reminder of the command from Nico put an end to it as the Titan and Giant were picked up in each mouth like Will and Nico had been.

As for the litter of zombie kittens, they had decided Cerberus made a good cat tree and had already climbed up his legs. It looked like it would have hurt but their claws didn't seem to faze the giant dog. Settled neatly all over Cerberus' back and heads (Nico found himself jealous) the kittens were ready for the trip.

Nico was about to give another command to go home but it wasn't necessary. All three heads turned upwards in pride as the guard dog proceeded to turn around and prance back the way he came. He hoped it was the way out.

It was hard to concentrate on the journey. Time seemed like it was moving sluggishly and yet a few lazy blinks later and Nico swore he could see his father's palace in the distance. Unfortunately, his father was at the gates waiting for them. The god did not look happy.

Cerberus ended his prance directly in front of his father; showing off the prizes he had brought. Hades merely sighed. "You were only supposed to fetch the boys. What else did you bring? Come on. Leave it." Thankfully the dog set them all down gently. It left them soaking wet and covered in drool but it wasn't like they were clean in Tartarus.

Another sign from his father. "Well, at least you got what I requested." His tone changed to a higher pitch than Nico had ever heard. The god wasn't very good at baby talk. It was kinda creepy. "Good boy. Such a good boy. Good job." He proceeded to take turns patting all three heads and scratching their chins. Cerberus' tail thumped in utter bliss as his heads leaned into the touch.

After a moment, Hades threw a treat for each head then sent his hound off for a much needed bath. The dog was covered in golden glitter and who knows what else.

Nico tried to shadow travel away with Will but he was spent. He had no energy to move let alone travel. His attempt only served to attract his father's attention.

And his ire.

Nico couldn't face his father but he felt those cold piercing eyes bore into his soul.

"I believe I had expressly forbidden you from going anywhere near that place."

He was in so much trouble.