The Big Three

Chapter One

It was late in the summer: August 18th, 2012. Percy's birthday. It was early in the morning, around 7:30AM. Percy was asleep in his cabin, groggily waking up, even though, turning 19 today, he didn't have any obligation to actually wake up with the other campers. He sat up, his mind still flooded with nightmares from his time spent in Tartarus, before shaking himself fully awake. On his bedside sat a blue cupcake, just like the one Annabeth and Tyson had made him, three years ago. He smiled at it, the single candle still lit. He picked it up and blew out the candle, putting the cupcake on his bedside, and got up to go to the showers before everyone else.

Nico didn't sleep that night. He found himself thinking of Bianca di Angelo the day before, and tried his luck for the rest of the night to summon her, knowing fully well that she had been reborn years ago. He had tried and tried, asking ghosts and even his father for Bianca's new self and her whereabouts, but the ghosts called him obsessed and his father did not answer. Nico found himself at the edge of Camp Halfblood's forest the next morning, overlooking the camp and rising sun. Nico surveyed the camp, watching the rising campers drowsily walk across the camp to breakfast, showers or training fields. This late in the summer, it was pretty much a free-for-all for the rest of the time in camp. That's when, despite all his efforts, he spotted Percy, his black hair glistening with water after his shower, walking back to his cabin. Nico no longer carried feelings of affection- well, romantic feelings. He was dating Will- for Percy, but still found himself watching his every move, like he was a wild animal Nico was facinated with. Percy came back out of his cabin in a few seconds, holding what seemed to be a brick of brown and blue. A cupcake? "Shit" He said as he started towards the camp "It's his birthday" Nico jogged to catch up to Percy.

Thalia checked her watch, that she had found on the latest monster the Hunters had taken down. 8:00AM. She tapped the back of the cabbie's seat "This is good" She told him as she pulled up to the camp's boundaries. The cabbie looked at her confused, but she handed him a wad of cash and he shrugged and took it "Have a good day ma'am" He told her before she nodded and stepped out of the cab. She walked past Peleus, patting the dragon's head. He purred quietly, smoke blowing out of his nostrils as he coiled around Thalia's old tree, the Golden Fleece sparkling in the morning light. Thalia took a deep breath through her nose, breathing in the camp's air. She walked into the dining pavilion, searching for Percy. She found him at a table, next to Annabeth, Nico and Grover. She jogged over to them and quietly got behind them.

"SUP BOYS!" She yelled right behind Percy and Annabeth, making Annabeth scream and flail her arm behind her to hit Thalia (and failed) and making Percy sneeze milk from his cereal out of his nose. Grover and Thalia both started to laugh hysterically, while Nico just smiled and covered his face. Percy began to wipe his face and join in on the laughter, but Annabeth just blushed and punched Thalia as she went to sit next to Grover.

"What brings you here?" Percy finally asked after the laughter died down.

"It's your birthday, Seaweed Brain" Annabeth told him, elbowing him in the rib.

"I'm aware of what day it is, Wise Girl" Percy laced his fingers with Annabeth's and continued "I just didn't expect the all mighty Lieutenant of the Hunters of Artemis, to be at this establishment-" He gestured around him with his free arm "for a boy's birthday. There's something else to this, isn't there?"

Thalia cursed in her head, Artemis' words going through her mind on a loop "Don't worry about it man" She said, trying to act nonchalant "I just came to see my friends that's all". Everyone accepted this and continued to talk, but Annabeth stayed quiet and eyed Thalia. Something wasn't right.

The rest of the day went by as any other day at camp. They trained, joked around, messed with the Ares kids and introduced any new campers. There had been so many more kids that came into camp since the new cabins were built.

By the time dinner was over, everyone was ready for the campfire, but Chiron walked- or rather, galloped- to the front of the pavillion, looking alarmed, followed by a bored yet aware Mr.D. They whispered to each other for a minute before Chiron stomped his hoof against the stone floor. Everyone went quiet, and nothing was heard except the monsters in the woods. Thalia swallowed what was left of her drink, feeling more tense then ever. 'This is it' she thought to herself.

Nico sat next to Will, they're hands pressed together under the table besides Percy and the rest of them. Nico glanced at Thalia and noticed the look on her face. She was pale, her dark hair swept to the side, a streak of died blue hair behind her ear. Nico had never seen her look so stressed, and no one else seemed to notice except Annabeth, who looked between him and Thalia, raising an eyebrow. 'She knows' he mouthed to her.

"Hello campers" Chiron said, spreading his arms out "As most of you know, today is Percy Jackson's birthday-" as soon as the words left his mouth, every camper started cheering. Grover patted Percy on the back, who grinned and stood up, taking a dramatic bow, making Annabeth shake her head, but she was smiling. Chiron smiled nervously and patiently waited for everyone to calm down.

"Now, before we get on with the campfire, I have an announcement" Chiron turned to look at Mr.D, who sighed dramatically and checked his cuticles "I suppose, it is an issue at hand" Mr.D then walked up next to Chiron.

"Now, personally, it doesn't affect me" Mr.D started, but Chiron cleared his throat, and the god sighed "Unfortunately, Clarisse LaRue has gone missing" everyone started mumbling, talking about the last time they saw her, or heard from her. Travis and Connor exchanged a few Drachmas, probably betting on if she'll come back or not.

"Now, tragedy this is, we must send another three campers out to look for her." Mr.D turned his gaze directly on Thalia, who wiped her wet palms on her jeans.

"Ms. Grace here has volunteered to lead the quest." Thalia stood up. She knew the drill.

"Percy Jackson and Nico di Angelo" She said loudly. All the campers stayed quiet, either out of fear or shock. Everyone at Thalia's table stared at her. Chiron, probably in an attempt to lighten the mood, clapped his hands together "Right. Now, everyone, it's time for the campfire."

Whatever mood hung over the campers disappeared and everyone stood and walked over to the campfire. That left Will, Nico, Percy, Thalia, Annabeth and Grover in the pavillion. Chiron trotted over to them, and Thalia finally sat back down, Nico and Will standing besides the table.

"Thalia. Are you sure?" Chiron asked her, Mr.D standing beside the centaur, his face alert. He's never had that look before.

"Yes" She said, not looking up at him. Annabeth was glaring at her now, her mouth turned down "Thalia. We don't see or hear from you for months at a time, you show up and take Percy and Nico away from us like that?" Annabeth stood up and started to walk away, but Percy grabbed her wrist and pulled her to the side. Nico took a seat next to Thalia and inhaled deeply "Guys, can I talk to Thalia?" Grover, Chiron and Mr.D nodded and walked away. Will stood there for a second "Will I see you before you leave?" He asked Nico. Nico nodded and squeezed Will's hand before Will walked back to the campfire.

"No! It's not fair Percy!" Annabeth whispered "She can't! I lost you once, I can't lose you again" Tears flowed down her face as she looked up at Percy, her lip wobbling as she tried to keep her composure. Percy slid his hand onto her cheek, running his thumb across it, wiping away a few tears.

"Annabeth, it's okay. I'll be fine, I always am" He smiled that devilish smile Annabeth had fallen in love with years ago. She smiled weakly "I love you Seaweed Brain. Don't be stupid when you're out there okay?" He raised an eyebrow and gestured to himself "Me? Stupid? When?" She laughed and kissed him. "I love you too Wise Girl."

"Why did you pick me?" Nico said quietly. Thalia said nothing for a second before uttering "I need you and Percy." Nico was confused. Who would want a son of Hades and Poseidon? That didn't make any sense to Nico. And, to top it all off, they're both boys. She is a Hunter of Artemis.

"What's so special about us that you'd pass up every other camper here?" She shook her head and stood up "It doesn't matter. Come on. We're supposed to get an Iris message from Camp Jupiter." She walked over to Annabeth and Percy, who were already walking over to the beach.

"Happy birthday man!" Jason yelled, smiling at the demigods, the setting sun behind him. Percy always forgot the time difference between New York and California.

"Thanks man. Been a great day" Percy replied, Annabeth waving at Piper, who stood next to Jason. Nico stood in the background, watching his friends talk about their summer and how excited they are to see each other. Nico was too focused on the feeling of dread in his stomach, the unease he got whenever he looked at Thalia. What was her deal?

"Nico, get over here man! I never got to see Ghostbusters, and you're the closest I'll ever get!" Nico snapped his attention to the Iris message to see the face of Leo Valdez. Nico smiled and approached the rainbow. "Hey Leo" Nico said, waving at Calypso behind him.

"What's up man? Heard you guys got a quest?" Nico's smile melted, and he nodded.

"Jeez, someone's nervous. I'm not sure why. If I was a monster, you'd scare the living Tartarus outta me" He laughed, but Nico just nodded "Thanks man." Percy nudged his way into frame "Hey guys, we gotta go, but we'll talk to you guys after our quest" Leo made a peace sign with his hand and they all said goodbye, while Nico made his way to his cabin, thinking he was taking everything way out of proportion. Thalia was just nervous because she had to go on a quest, and last time, she died. She was just scared. Right?

The next morning, Thalia, Percy, Nico, Annabeth and Will all gathered in the Big House.

"Now, we don't have many leads, other than we lost track of Clarisse down in Massachusettes." Chiron said, handing the three supplies and mortal money "She was last heard from around Cape Cod. Argus can take you three to around Boston, but from there, you're on your own" Thalia and Nico nodded along to this, but Percy was glancing over at Annabeth, starting to rethink his decision. Chiron wished them luck and sent them off.

Standing at the camps boundaries, the three said their goodbyes to Grover, Annabeth and Will. Grover sniffled and hugged Percy "If anything happens, you contact me immediatly." Percy patted his best friend's back and smiled "Don't worry man. I'll be okay" Grover nodded and walked back into camp, Juniper waiting for him. Annabeth hugged Percy tightly and buried her face into his shoulder "Don't be an idiot, Percy" She said, holding back tears. Percy kissed her "I'm never an idiot" She smiled and held his hands tightly before walking away. Percy's eyes stayed on her until she went back into her cabin.

Nico held his Stygian iron sword in one hand and an open backpack in the other as Will dropped item after item in it. "Now. Here's some medical supplies, some more of that gum I gave you back during the fight with Gaea- which you only use in emergencies, a cellphone with both Chiron and my number in during an emergency, a-" Nico cut him off with a kiss. Something Nico rarely did in public.

"Will. I'll be okay" Will's clear blue eyes began to water, and Nico's stomach turned. He felt guilty, allowing himself to leave Will like this, but he had to. He took Will's hands gently "I promise you, I'll be back. I swear it on the River Styx" Thunder shook in the clear blue sky. Nico said his final goodbye, and he watched Will walk away.

Percy bumped Nico's shoulder with his own, knocking Nico sideways. He couldn't help but chase after Percy, who had started running to the bus.

Thalia was already there, waiting. She saw the two boys running, and she knocked over Percy before he even made it to the door. Nico grinned and nodded at her, who laughed as Percy pretended to be hurt. Then the guilt began in her stomach once more, and the laugh died in her mouth. They walked onto the bus and sat in the back. The first ten minutes were spent in silence, before Percy sat up and looked Thalia in the eye.

"What is it you're not telling us?" He asked her. Nico leaned up as well and his dark, nearly black eyes stared into Thalia's. She started panicking, Artemis' words going through her mind once more.

"You do as I say, lieutenant. Do not disobey me."

"I know what happened to Clarisse."