Oneshot about Nico di Angelo as a 10-year old kid and when he first met Percy Jackson.
All rights go to King of Cliffhangers, ie. Rick Riordan. Percy Jackson and his awesome universe do not belong to me (dream on!) Enjoy! Oh, and don't forget to R&R!
Nico di Angelo was playing his favourite Mythomagic card game sitting underneath a tree. His sister, Bianca, was reading some boring book which Nico had no interest at all. Even if tried, he couldn't read because there was something wrong with his eyes, so he couldn't understand the letters on the page. (Nico doesn't know that he has dyslexia yet, he's just 10!)
A few years ago, before Nico and his sister had stayed at the Lotus Casino, Nico's father had introduced him to the awesome world of Mythomagic. Nico loved the various Greek myths and heroes. Nico had been hooked to it ever since. He knew every nook and cranny of the Greek legends, and sometimes wished he could be a Greek hero as well. He would love to fight with a sword and save other heroes and fight monsters.
But then, a lawyer came and moved Nico and his sister to this school called Westover Hall. It was an okay-ish school, but the principal, Dr. Thorn, with his one blue eye and one brown eye, was pretty creepy and intimidating. Nico often found himself wondering why Dr. Thorn had two different coloured eyes. He wanted to ask him, but could never approach him because of his intimidating ways.
Oh, well. Nico thought. Today was the dance, and Bianca was so excited for it. Nico didn't want to go, because he knew that girls would be talking to him and clinging to him for some weird reason. Nico didn't like girls, except for his sister and mother. Mother. Nico's throat closed up. He missed his mother. The lawyer said his mother was in Italy. But why? Nico wondered. Why not here with him and Bianca? A tear fell down his cheek and Bianca noticed. "Nico, what's wrong?" she asked and put down her book. She hugged Nico. "Nico, is it mother?" she asked, with a trace of sadness. Nico nodded. "Aww, it'll be alright. It's okay. I'm here with you, right? Come on, let's get ready for the dance. Come on." Bianca smiled and ruffled Nico's head. He smiled back and sniffed.
A few hours later, Nico and Bianca were ready to go to the dance. Bianca squeezed his hand and led him to the hall. "Let's stay in the corner here, for now." Nico said nervously. Bianca smiled and got a glass of pomegranate punch for him and grape punch for herself. Nico's heart suddenly swelled with joy. He really loved his sister. She was so pretty and kind and nice. He grinned and looked around the dance floor. There was a black-haired boy, probably around 13 or 14 years old dancing with a blond girl. Nico had never seen the boy before and wondered who he was. Before he could get a chance to meet the boy, the principal, Dr. Thorn walked up to Nico and his sister and asked them to come with him. Nico panicked, wondering if Dr. Thorn had found his mythomagic collection. But he followed him, he had no choice.
And then Percy Jackson had tried to save him, and his life turned upside down and inside out.