Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Nico POV:
I sighed and looked out the window. I hate long car drives. I can bear up to an hour in a car before I get antsy.

So this eight hour car drive DID not help.

"So, why did Grover call us out here?" I broke the silence.

"Grover found two powerful demigods." You can count on Annabeth to know everything.

"So why'd he call us if he knew they were demigods?" Annabeth looked thoughtful to this.

"I think he said there was a monster he smelled, at the school and he can't fight, so he called us."

My mother, Maria, glanced at me through the rear view mirror. She sighed, and pulled into a depressing looking school. I was not looking forward to this.

“Nico… you may not like this.. uh.. demigod business as much as anyone else, but if these are children with the monster following them, I think you should help the children.” (Yes, I purposely messed up her grammar, since she is straight Italian.)

I sighed and nodded, as she yelled after us about safety, and told me she loved me in Italian. I rolled my eyes, but narrowed them at Thalia when she did too.

“Thalia. You’re showing attitude at my mother, why?”

She glared at me. “Listen, sea-weed brain, i don’t want to be here, but since I’m powerful and Annie asked me to go, I’m here. I don’t want your mother annoying us every second.”

I shoved at her as I walked past, and saw Annabeth give Thalia a dirty look. We eventually saw Grover and we ran to him, desperate to get out of the cold, as it snowed. Grover looked somewhat panicked. “Finally, you guys are here. You finally made-“

A strict voice called out, “Grover? Why are you out of the dance hall, and.. who are these.. children?”

“A-ah! Miss [____]! They.. they..”

I spoke up this time. Unlike some people, I learned how to manipulate the mist from a child of Hecate back at camp, “We’re students here, remember? We live in the dorms.”

Annabeth and Thalia both looked shocked I knew how to, but that slowly turned from Annabeth’s shock to respect, and Thalias to jealousy. Hey, I’m not blind. Grover looked thankful and he nodded quickly.

The teacher got a droopy expression as she nodded. “Right.. go back to the hall children..”

Another strict voice, with a French accent(?) popped in. “Who are.. these children, Miss [___]?”

“Ah.. they’re students here Mister Thorn.”

He looked distastefully at us. “I do not remember schooling such.. children.”

Grover stammered, “They– they made the punch for the dance. We’ll be heading back in now..”

“Yes.. punch..”

He hurried us in, but I could still feel Mr Thorn’s gaze on me.

“So.. where’s the monster, Grover?”

“Ah.. you just met him.. Mister Thorn.”

Ah. No wonder he felt so odd to me. He could see through the mist. I shook my head.

“Where are the demigods?!” I yelled over the loud music.

Grover pointed at the bleachers to some similar looking kids with dark brown hair, and floppy green hats and trench coats. One looked about 14-15 and one looked 10-11.

“We obviously can’t approach them directly, that’s just weird, so act natural and wait for a time to talk to them normally.” Annabeth came up with a plan on the spot, like usual.

We nodded and danced around for bit, until I looked back and noticed that the kids were being led away by the Thorn guy. I follow them, just as I heard Grover point that out, and Thalia ask, “Hey, where did Nico go?”

Chapter Text

Percy’s POV:

I trudged after principal Thorn. I always thought it was a weird name.

I glanced back up— and I swear to god, I saw a tail.

I squeezed Bianca’s hand, and she pulled me forward a bit. I frowned, but took it as she was just impatient, so I sped up.

“U-uhm, so principal.. Thorn, where are we going?”

Bianca put her hand on my mouth and whispered in our native language, “Percy, cállate y síguelo rápidamente. Tengo un mal presentimiento.." (Percy, be quiet and follow him quickly. I have a bad feeling...) I quickly nodded and we continued after him.

After a couple minutes of following the principal, he stopped at a cliff. He turned to us and.. grew a tail I saw earlier!!

I was about to say something, when he pounced at us and we screamed! Bianca held me close to her, to protect me. But I still got a scratch on my cheek. It was bleeding a lot, and it scared me.

I kept wiping it with my sleeve, and saw about to tell Bianca, when a guy with dark hair with a.. sword? Jumped out and slashed at the guy. “Ugh! You pesky demigod!! I knew you weren’t supposed to be here!” Demi god? Huh.. Suddenly, as quick as lightning, the beast thingy charged again but a girl with a punk aesthetic blocked the hit with her shield with a face on it. I forgot about my cut and was totally excited.

Another two people runned… not that’s not right.. ran! Ran out of the woods and started to attack too. “Gah! Where did you all– never mind that! I’ll kill you all and–“ An arrow flew out of the trees, and got him in his leg.

He roared with pain, as a BIG group of girls walked out.

On that got my interest was a girl, who looked a bit older than me with auburn hair and golden eyes that looked to be glowing walked out.

I think she was their leader. She scared me. I clutched Bianca’s hand more.

The beast growled, “This is direct interference! That goes against ancient laws! You cannot–“

The golden eyed girl sneered. “What I see is a beast that needs to be hunted, which is part of my domain. (Domain huh..)”

A girl with a braid down her shoulder aimed her long bow and asked, “Permission to kill, milady?”

The beast growled and turned to the edge of the cliff.

And tackled the blonde girl off the edge.

I have no shame in saying I scream many profanities in Spanish.

Bianca glared at me but she looked horrified too. The punk girl ran to the edge and tried to jump off after her, but the guy from earlier with a black sword held her back.

“It’s too late Thalia. We have to find her later.”

“That drop must’ve killed her. She was a fair maiden, too.” The golden girl spoke. My jaw dropped in shock. “Yo.. your Artemis!” I had stars in my eyes.

She looked at me blankly. Oh right. She doesn’t like men.

I looked down sheepishly, “Sorry. Forgot the whole ‘don’t like men’ thingy.” She looked at my sister, then to the girl with a long bow.

“Zoë, set up camp, if you may.”

So her name is Zoë.. the Zoë girl nodded and began to instruct some of the other girls.

Artemis motioned for Bianca to follow her, as did the black haired girl and boy from earlier did too. I went to a stone and sat down and hummed happily while sorting through my mythomagic cards. The guy with goat legs came up to me.

“Where’s your sister?” I smiled.

“Ms Artemis wanted to talk to her!!”

For some reason, the goat man paled and looked at me with pity. I wasn’t sure why, but my gut began to do the somersaults. I ignored it (bad bad percy. Don’t do that) and motioned for the goat person to sit down and i showed him how to play mythomagic.

“I have all the cards and figurines! Except for the Hades figure. He’s my favorite of the series so far!” He looked sheepish, then asked, “I just noticed, you have an accent. And so does your sister, like Nico.” I looked confused. “Who is the Nico?” “Ah, the guy with a black sword.” I nodded. “We are Korean. Is Nico also?”

The guy shook his head. “Nah, he’s Italian. Also, I’m a satyr and my name is Grover.”

Oh, so his name was Grover. “Cool!” I chirped happily.

My sister FINALLY came back out and I skipped excitedly to her and hugged her, but she shoved me off. I felt hurt, but I looked up at her.

“Eonni? What’s wrong?” (Eonni = older sister in Korean.)

“Percy.” She called me by my name. I don’t like that. Did I do something wrong?

“I’ve.. joined Artemis’ hunt.”

“Cool! Can we play mythomagic now?” She looked helplessly at the goddess, who nodded and moved forward.

“Perseus. (I frowned at that. I go by Percy, didn’t Bianca tell her that?) your sister joined my hunt, meaning no men.” I took in her words.

“B-but I’m her brother! That doesn’t count, does it?!”

Artemis’ gaze softened at my helplessness. I didn’t want that, I wanted my sister. “Bianca, you’ll stay with me, right?” She looked away, and i began to cry. Nico came over and hugged me and I didn’t push him away, though I’d rather Bianca be hugging me right now. He picked me up, which looked so easy as I cried on his shoulder. He said something but I didn’t pay attention.

How could Bianca do this..

I let out another sob. She was all I had left.

My family.

My sister.
Gone.

Chapter Text

Percy POV—

I sniffled into my sleeve as Bianca tried to put a bandage on my cut. I didn’t let her; I refused to have anything to do with her. Nico sighed and rolled his eyes and took the bandage. He put it in my, then gave me a lopsided grin. I think it was a grin. I hopped off my rock, then grabbed Nico’s hand. I think it surprised him, but he didn’t shake it off either way.

Annabeth, Grover, Nico, and I all met with Artemis.

Artemis said, “Well, we need to get you all to camp. Follow me.”

I looked confused, as did the others beside Zoë and Thalia. She took us to a clearing where the sun was rising, and she clasped her hands and whispered something. I heard something that didn’t sound like English or Korean, but I understood it. She stood up straight and she looked at us. “Now we wait,” she said.

We waited.

And waited.

And waited.

I yawned and was half-asleep, before I heard her mutter, “Finally. He’s so lazy in the winter..”

The sun shined bright and I covered my eyes, as she told us not to look. When we looked back my hand slipped from Nico’s. It was a sports car. I glanced over at Nico, who had a start struck expression. I giggled, which snapped him out of it.

A person stepped out of the vehicle, and walked over. I exhaled, a cloud of steam showing, as I recognized the man.

“Apollo!” I blurted out, then covered my mouth in embarrassment. I heard a chuckle, as Apollo smiled at us.

“Sorry baby sis, but it’s too cold for me to leave too early.” He didn’t sound sorry at all as he said that.

She grumbled and spoke, “We need to get these Demi-gods to camp. Can you take us? I have to do.. something for father.”

He turned serious, nodded, and returned to chill again. I think only I noticed it. I looked at the others, and saw Thalia just about drooling.

“Apollo is.. wow! He’s so.. hot..” Thalia spoke, the others agreeing, excluding me and Grover.

“Well, he’s the sun god, so of course he would be.” I spoke softly. I heard chuckles, then a beep. I looked at saw a brightly colored bus, and I could help but hiss and cover my eyes.

———

We lined up to board the bus, and Apollo flirted with the Zoë girl who threatened to chop off his manly parts, along with Artemis. We buckled in, and he grabbed Thalia, who looked just about to faint.

“Why don’t you try to drive, darling?” He spoke, with a soft smile to Thalia. I perked up.

“Can I drive??” I raised my hand.

He shook his head and looked at the others, muttering about them either being too young, too short, and too… furry? I shrugged and be talked with Thalia. I grabbed my cards, and began to show Nico them, as the bus started, when I felt uneasy, about being in the sky. I looked at Nico and grabbed him, and he seemed just as eager to grab something too.

Thalia was NOT a good driver. I have bruises for sure!
———
Long story short, we crash landed. In a lake. At what I assume is the camp we were sent to for people like us?

“We’re never letting.. *URP* Thalia drive EVER again..” I gagged half way through my sentence. Everyone agreed, even Thalia who scowled at me.

When Nico had dried us off, which was SUPER cool by the way, we came to a realization— there were about 100, maybe 150 kids staring at us. In other words, a lot. A.. centaur guy? I might be dreaming, but I was staring for sure. He let out a low chuckle, and talked to apollo, who then disappeared, with the car.

“Ah, young Perseus, and Bianca. Apollo just informed me about what’s happened. My name is Chiron, and yes the Chiron from the stories.”

It was quiet for three seconds. Then I began spouting question after question and he laughed! How dare he? I’m serious about these!

Bianca came and grabbed and apologized and shook my hand away from her. Chiron sighed and his smile seemed a bit more strained. “Come along, I have plenty to teach you.”

Chapter Text

PERCY POV:

Camp Half-Blood was huge. Nico was giving me a tour, and he said that the Camp had climate control magic stuff! It was so cool. Apparently, nothing can get through the border unless the camp director allows it! And apparently the camp director is a GOD! That's SO cool! I can't wait to meet him! I wonder what God it is.. maybe Hermes? I could see that..

Oh. Nico's talking again.

"-nd that's the lava wall," Nico states as he points to a climbing wall with.. LAVA FLOWING DOWN IT? That's probably not safe at all, but who cares! That's so cool!
"Wow... why is there lava pouring down it? Isn't that a safety hazard? Why do you guys like it?"
Nico walk slowed, as he blinked. Did I speak too fast? Maybe. Bianca says I'm a very fast talker because of my ADHD. That also means I'm a fast thinker, haha.
"Uh.. it's a little extra challenge," Nico said slowly. "Come on, we have to go talk with Chiron and- Oh, Zoe, have you met Chiron yet?"
I forgot about the hunters. They were following us slowly too, but they looked unhappy. A frown was on their face the entire time! Zoe stepped out of the group, a big frown on her face. Maybe she's upset about something. My eyes drifted to an amazing looking strawberry field. I wondered if we could eat them..
"I know Chiron," Zoe said stiffly. "Tell him that the hunters will be in Cabin Eight, as per usual. Hunters, follow me."
"I'll show you the way," The goat guy offered. I can't remember his name, but he looks nice!

"We know the way."

"Oh really, it's no trouble at all! It's easy to get lost here, if you don't-" he tripped over a canoe since we had slowly migrated to a lake. He got up and continued talking as if nothing had happened. "like my old daddy goat used to say! Come on!"
I think Mr. Goat guy has a crush on Zoe or something..
Zoe rolled her eyes, but that wasn't very nice of her. Mr. Goat guy was just trying to help.. though I would've gotten annoyed too. Cabin Eight was in our view! Maybe this is how they feel when I keep asking questions... but Zoe followed Mr. Goat guy. Maybe she accepted that he wouldn't leave them alone otherwise. The Hunters shouldered their bows and shoved past us, pushing me to the floor! So rude! They headed off towards the cabins. As my sister followed them.. my eyes shot away from her. She walked near me, eyes sad, but I didn't care. I was sad too! Why would I feel sad for her being sad when she made ME sad!

"Please don't be mad, Percy..."

I just scowled as she sighed and joined the Hunters. Nico raised an eyebrow, showing off his deep, sea green eyes. They were pretty.. Woah! Back on track, Percy. Not the time to think about how nice Nico looks!
"Take care, sweethearts!" Apollo called after the Hunters. He winked at Nico. "Watch out for those prophecies, Nico! I'll see you soon."

Is this like the prophetic eye or something? That was DEFINITELY foreshadowing..

"What do you mean?" Nico asked, turning towards the Sun God. Instead of answering, he hopped back onto the bus. He waved and winked to the Hunters. He gave Thalia a wicked smile, as if he knew something she didn't. Creepy.. I shuddered. He closed the doors and revved his engine. I looked away when he took off with a blast of heat. When I looked back, the lake was steaming. Sheesh..
Nico had a grumpy look on his face. I wonder why..
"Does Chiron have a figurine? He was the trainer of Heracles, right?"
I tried to change the subject, but I guess Nico had enough of socializing.. or just enough of me talking. Either way, he just dragged me off to the really big house.

┌── •✧• ──┐

Fun fact: the big house is called The Big House! How funny! I let out a small laugh and resumed walking by Nico. Nico said Camp Half-Blood is usually filled with kids, but since it's winter, everyone is at school. There's more during summer since it's summer break. I hummed as I smiled. The kids here were year-rounders, like Nico, since they either couldn't go home because of how they attracted monsters, or they didn't have homes to go to. I think Bianca and I are staying year round.
Oh. Right.
Just me, not Bianca. She joined those stupid Hunters. Do those Hunters take pride in making girls leave their families?! I huffed, my breath showing in the cold air. As I looked around, I saw a guy near the camp armory. I don't know who he is, but he looks strong! There were also two identical looking boys trying to pick the lock on the camp store.. maybe they were Hermes kids! Some kids were fighting at the edge of the forest, but that's all I could see..

The Big House was decorated with these strings of fireballs! That was so cool! It warmed me up but didn't catch anything on fire. That's awesome! I bet its the power of that camp director God guy! When Nico opened the door, I smelt hot cocoa and flames in the hearth warmed me up quickly. There was Chiron, the half-horse guy, and a fat guy. He made me uneasy. He felt.. off. Powerful, I guess. That's probably the camp director. They were playing cards at a old table. My smile widened when he smiled at us.. or more, Nico and Thalia, who was already here.

"Nico! Thalia! How are you both? This must be-"

"Percy Di Angelo," Nico said with a smile. "I'm doing great, Chiron. He and his sister are half-bloods.. but she.. the Hunters.."

Chiron sighed, but he smiled didn't waver. "You succeeded, then."

"Well.."

His smiled faded away now. "What's happened? And, where is my dear Annabeth?"

"Oh dear," the camp director said in a bored tone. "Another one lost, dare I say?"

I didn't like this guy. Nico said his name was Mr. D.. but I'm gonna call him Mr. Dickhead. Fits him perfectly. I stepped closer to Nico when his power flared. Maybe he can read minds..

Nico sighed, a worried look on his face. I just kept criticizing Mr. Dickhead's outfit. Neon orange animal skin suit with purple shoes! Awful colors! How come he wore running shoes when it looked like he hadn't run a day in his life! A golden laurel looked good on his head of curly black hair, at least.

"What'd do you mean?" Thalia asked, interrupting my thoughts. "Who ELSE is lost?"

Just then, Mr. Goat guy trotted into the room, grinning like a madman. He had a black eye and red lines all over his face like slap marks. I wonder what he did to deserve that. "The Hunters are all moved in!"

Chiron frowned. "Hunters, eh? I see we have lots to talk about." He glanced at me. I frowned. I wanted to know what happened too! "Grover, perhaps you could take our new friend to the den and show him the orientation film?"

"No! I wanna listen too!" / "But-"

Chiron sighed as I didn't let up. I could care less about an orientation film. I heard Thalia saying how it was horrible earlier, so I don't want to see it either way..

"Alright.. come along, then. Grover, your free to leave.."

Grover nodded and left, still smiling and nursing his bruised face.

"Now," Chiron said to Thalia and Percy. "Perhaps you three should sit down and tell us the whole story."
┌── •✧• ──┐
When they had finished the story, Chiron immediately turned to Mr. Dickhead. "We should launch a search for Annabeth immediately."

I raised my hand. "How come if Annabeth was a daughter of Athena, she wasn't smart enough to know NOT to jump off a cliff?"

That got a choked laugh from Mr. Dickhead, but a glare from Thalia. The air seemed static-like. I wonder who were parent is? Thalia immediately ignored me, though.

"I'll go," Thalia and Nico said at the same time. They glared at each other. Did.. Nico have a crush on Annabeth?

Mr. Dickhead sniffed. "Certainly not!"

Complaints immediately filled the room, but Mr. Dickhead just raised his hand at they stopped. He had a purplish angry godly fire in his eyes which I assume meant something bad and godly was going to happen if they didn't shut up.

"From what I've head," Mr. Dickhead started, "we have broken even on this escapade. We have, ah, sadly lost Annie Bell-"

"Annabeth." Nico snapped. I watched this with a frown. Why was this such a big deal? Can't they just send a God and let it go away? A God can save anyone, right?

"Yes, yes," Mr. Dickhead said. "And you procured a small annoying, yet humoring, boy to replace her. So I see no point risking further and more important half-bloods on this ridiculous plan of a rescue. The possibility that she's already dead are great!"

"Percy can never replace Annabeth! He hasn't even been claimed! What good is he?" Thalia shouted. Ouch. That hurt, but I already knew she didn't like me. What hurt even more though, was that Nico agreed.

"Yeah! Annabeth has more use than Percy! We can't just replace her!" I lowered my head, tears filling my eyes. I can be helpful.. I didn't know being claimed or whatever was important. I fiddled with my hands in my lap as I quietly left the big house.

I didn't bother to stay to hear what was going to happen.
┌── •✧• ──┐
I felt really alone. Bianca left me to go be with the Hunters, but I was going to be okay since Nico was my friend. Guess not. Guess he just was nice to me because nobody else would be. Maybe he just felt bad for me. I sat alone at the beach. The wind blew my hair. I'll show them. I'll get this Annabeth girl back to prove I can be helpful. I can be useful.

That I'm not just an annoying kid to replace her.

That I'm a person too. That I can help.

I can help.