Save Him

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Summery: When they're 'little brother' Nico is taken Percy and Annabeth have to play a twisted game with a faceless stranger in order to save him.

A/N: If anyone has read my other story then you know what Chiron is talking about. If you haven't then the story is that Annabeth had to choose between Percy and Luke and was sent to a dream world but she chose Percy and she went back to the normal world.

Chiron sat in his wheelchair drumming his fingers on the armrest. Annabeth and Percy walked into the living room together smiling. Chiron sighed and rubbed his eyes.

Annabeth had just come back from a personal quest and her and Percy had just got together. It was terrible that they had to go on another quest so soon but it needed to be done. This monster had to be stopped and the boy had to be saved.

Percy stopped smiling the second he saw Chiron's face. His eyes were full of sadness and his face was drawn and dark. "What's wrong?" Annabeth asked. She too had noticed the look on Chiron's face. "Something has happened to… to Nico," Chiron said slowly. "WHAT? Where is he? Is he ok?" Percy asked.

There are three people that Percy loved more than anyone in the world. His mom, Annabeth and his 'little brother' Nico. If anyone even thought of hurting them, Percy would make their life a misery. "Have either of you seen him today?" Chiron asked. "You're asking a girl who was unconscious for two days," Annabeth said frowning. "I haven't seen him since before the battle. I got distracted," Percy said looking at Annabeth. She put a hand on his arm and he smiled at her, thankful that she understood. Chiron showed them a letter. "This arrived a few minutes ago. It just appeared out of no where." Percy grabbed the letter and Annabeth looked at it, reading over his shoulder.

To Percy and Annabeth:

I'm afraid little Nico has disappeared and there's only one way to get him back. As that camp of yours is full of heroes then you should know about the greatest hero of all and his most famous quest. You have a week and three days to complete my tests, lighting up all the beads. I'll send you the destination of each test one at a time. Of course I have put my own twist on the labours just to make them extra hard. Remember you don't have much time. Nico's counting on you.

Percy's hand trembled in anger. "Son of a-." Grover burst into the living room, panting, "Mr. D… said…there was…an emergency." "Someone has taken Nico," Annabeth said, before turning back to Chiron. "What does this monster mean by 'lighting up all the beads' and the greatest hero and labours."

"Isn't it obvious? It's Hercules and the Twelve Labours," Percy said as he handed the letter to Grover. "Ok so this guy wants us to complete the labours and then we can get Nico back," Annabeth said. Chiron nodded and replied, "These came with the letter. I think that these are the beads that it was talking about." He handed Annabeth two bracelets. They each where thick and made of leather. They had six beads encrusted on them in dark colours.

She handed one to Percy and he put it on his wrist. As she did the same with her bracelet, Chiron picked up a thin book off the table. "I had already realized that the quest is about the Twelve Labours and I got this out for you. It tells you all you need to know about the famous quest." Percy took the book and went to the first page. "Labour 1. Slay the Nemean Lion and bring back its hide," he read.

"Oh good, I was afraid it was going to be something easy," he said sarcastically. "Percy, go to the Oracle and then come back here. I'll give Annabeth something to help you."

Percy came back down the stairs from the attic. When he came back down into the sitting room, Annabeth was holding a bow and a quiver of arrows. Annabeth turned to him. "Hercules used these. But they didn't work so I don't get why we need them." Chiron said simply, "We have no idea what twists this person will put on the tasks so you need all the help you can get. What did the Oracle say?" Percy took a deep breath and recited,

"Twelve in one, but time is scarce,

A friend in trouble cannot wait,

But keep your eyes open and your partners close,

As all is not what it seems."

They all looked at him. "It must be getting lazy because that didn't rhyme," he stated. Then a piece of paper materialised on the table. They all stared at it. "Grover, you're coming with us on this quest, right?" Percy asked slowly. Grover nodded. Annabeth went over to the table and un-folded the paper. She showed it to Percy and Grover. Three words were printed on it.

CENTRAL PARK ZOO.

"Remember, this guy must be able to see us if he knows when to deliver the letters. Be careful what you say to each other and keep an eye on each other," Chiron said. The three friends nodded and walked out of the big house.

Percy patted his pocket making sure that Riptide was still there, while Annabeth tucked her cap into her jeans tighter. Grover meanwhile had to go put his feet and trousers on so he said he would meet them at the border. "We will save him Percy," Annabeth said, hugging him. Percy sighed and hugged her back. He looked at her and she brushed his hair from his eyes. She had been doing that a lot and he loved it when she did.

A pair of eyes watched as Percy, Annabeth and Grover got a taxi into New York. She glanced over at the young boy that was tied up and drugged in the corner. He let out a small whimper. He had tried to escape earlier but a little spell here and a little potion there and he was too exhausted to do anything. She looked back at the looking glass and gave a small smirk. "Let's see what you guys can do."

A/N: I don't know if I like this chapter so please review and tell me what you think.