AN: Thanks for reading/reviewing/favouriting/following and PMing me about this story!

Short chapter and focus of Percy/Nico, but don't worry, there is still plenty of gorgeous Percico to come, and lots of danger and angst for them to struggle against.

Enjoy!

Dionysus was as good as his word. They appeared in the streets of Olympus, Nico and Percy still bound. Chiron was left behind; maybe Dionysus was worried he would try to speak on Percy's behalf.

He physically dragged the half-bloods through the streets. Muses, gods, beautiful creatures of all types turned and stared. Percy scowled at anyone who dared, but mostly tried to kill Dionysus with a look.

"Looks like the news will spread, Jackson," Dionysus sneered, "How embarrassing for Poseidon and Hades. They always think their kids are so great. About time they paid the price for ignoring my children."

He was telling the truth. Percy could already see the rumours spreading, the muses dashing about, satyrs darting from creature to creature to spread the tale. Though the tale wasn't entirely right yet, he could hear murmurs of 'Dionysus has gone mad!' and 'Kidnapped child of Poseidon!' No mention of Nico, of course. Children of Hades still seemed to be invisible.

Dionysus dragged them, arms bound to their sides, only managing to take tiny steps due to the ropes of vines on their legs. Percy cringed with each new face that appeared and sneered, a feeling that only trebled when they entered the, thankfully empty, throne room, the place in which he had been triumphant and lorded and thanked most graciously. The place he'd been offered immortality.

"I won't speak to anyone except my father," said Percy, simply.

Dionysus sneered. "You don't need to say anything, I'm more than capable of explaining what happened to my father."

Percy's spine seemed to turn to ice. Zeus would not listen to a word he or Nico said. He could save that god's life a million times, and he would still suspect Percy of treachery. This was all the excuse he needed to blow them both to smithereens.

"Fuck," he mumbled. He looked at Nico, who had completely stopped reacting at all. It was a very bad sign indeed.

"Father!" called Dionysus, "Father you need to hear this!"

"What is this racket?" demanded an angry voice. Not Zeus'. Female.

"Queen Hera," said Dionysus with a small bow, "I have news my Lord father Zeus will wish to hear."

Hera surveyed Nico and Percy coldly. Percy couldn't help thinking of what happened to Zagreus. An innocent child, torn apart and devoured because of Hera's jealousy. "You will tell me why you have bound one of my champions," said Hera.

"They are traitors, Queen Hera," Dionysus hissed excitedly, "they have sided with our enemies."

"No we haven't!" snapped Percy.

Dionysis ignored him, "They released someone who would like to see us all dead."

"No! Really, we haven't!" Percy protested,

"Who did he side with?" Hera asked, looking Percy up and down. She looked more curious than alarmed.

"I … would like to tell my father," Dionysus tried.

"Speak, Dionysus," said Hera, coldly, but with a warm smile that should have put everyone at the ease but instead sent shivers down Percy's spine.

"Well, er… it's…. there's…." Dionysus seemed lost. But one glare at Percy seemed to bring back his bile. "This bastard has resurrected Zagreus!"

"Er, that's not even slightly true!" Percy protested.

"Shut up, brat!" snapped Dionysus.

But Hera's face was a mask of horror. "Quiet!" she snapped, voice strained. "You will repeat yourself Dionysus, exactly as you spoke before."

"But it's not true!" Percy protested "I didn't resurrect anyone! Neither of us did!"

"You said a name!" Hera hissed, with fury that shook the room. "You will say it again!"

No one rushed to obey. Percy didn't because he was sulking. Maybe Dionysus had realised the dangers in Hera's voice.

Nico took over. It was a great relief to Percy who'd begun to suspect his friend was completely gone. But this tone was a frightening one.

"He said Zagreus," Nico told her, "You know, the one you murdered, the one who was destined to rule over everything. That Zagreus."

Hera didn't look angry. Her face flashed pure white, and Percy liked to think it was fear. Except scared people did scary things, so scared gods were definitely a problem.

"He was devoured by titans!" she hissed. "How can he be alive?"

Nico sneered at her. Maybe knowing he was going to die had made him fearless. "I don't know, but he knows what you did. He's getting stronger. He's not a baby anymore, Hera."

The goddess was shaken, but she still had fire in her eyes, "You dare to threaten me?"

"I don't need to," Nico replied simply.

Hera almost began to glow with fear and rage. "Silence!" she screeched. "Who have you told of this?"

But her question was lost to the arrival of gods. They appeared in their thrones, curiosity on their faces. Percy saw his father appear in his chair, no small amount of anger on his face. "You'd better have an excuse for this, Dionysus," Poseidon growled.

"I assure you, I have more than that," said Dionysus, excitedly.

Hera's expression morphed into one of thoughtfulness, but only for a moment. Before the council chamber was even full, she had disappeared.

Zeus appeared in a suit that looked like it had been woven from silk it was so splendid. He still did not appreciate the sight of Percy. "Well?" he said, "What is the meaning of this?"

"These…" began Dionysus, obviously ready to insult them and watch them be blasted by a vengeful god, but something made Percy interrupt him.

"Zagreus is alive," he shouted.

A ripple went around the throne room. The gods swapped glances, muttered to each other. It may have been anger from some, and certainly Percy noticed Ares' hands ball into fists and his eyes glow red, but he watched his father.

Poseidon had turned to Zeus, concern in his eyes. He didn't seem angry, just surprised and concerned for his brother. This was unusual.

Zeus on the other hand just stared at Percy.

"Zagreus?" he repeated.

"Yes," said Percy, trying to appear confident. "Zagreus is alive. I have seen him myself."

"My son, Zagreus?" said Zeus, and Percy saw an emotion in him that looked unfamiliar. In fact, Percy could barely place it.

"Nico found him " said Percy, "and brought him to safety. He's probably an adult by now, but I don't know where…"

"My son is alive!" Zeus repeated, "Poseidon, Zagreus is alive."

"I heard," said Poseidon, with a small smile.

And Zeus laughed. A great joyous sound that set the throne room fidgeting once more. There were frowns and mutterings from the other gods, and Athena stood, gracefully as she always did.

"Father, I would remind you that Zagreus is foretold to…"

"Bah!" shouted Zeus, his voice ringing and bright, "The prophecy never said it was Zagreus! I'm just as suspicious of the rest of you, if not more so."

Athena bowed her head, "I understand father, but Zagreus…"

"You will not speak ill of him, Athena," Zeus instructed, voice now with an edge. "If he is seen, he must be welcomed with open arms!"

"And if he arrives with armies at the gates?" asked Ares, a weapon in hand shifting between cross bow, sword and machine gun.

"Then we welcome the armies with feasting!" shouted Zeus. "Free those demigods. We celebrate those who brought my son back to life!"

Percy, who couldn't believe his luck, turned to Nico who looked just as stunned. Dionysus looked pissed off. "Father, if he plots your destruction…"

"He will not, Dionysus!" roared Zeus. "He may plot Hera's but never mine. Where has my darling wife got to anyway?"

A few faces looked around, but no one responded. Zeus didn't really seem to care. He shouted for wine, nectar, ambrosia, 'whatever the humans eat' and then descended his throne and shrank to normal size to remove Nico and Percy's bonds himself and shake their hands. Percy stayed close to Nico's side. Zeus was ecstatic, Poseidon grinned at him proudly, but many of the gods looked ready to murder them.

...xxx...xxx…

Prometheus came back to himself within hours. He had spent the time clinging to Zagreus, helplessly, and when he was well again, he kept that look of hopeless need. It was a powerful combination, to bring someone down to nothing and then build them back up again, to be master and carer. Prometheus was unlikely to challenge him again.

"I'm sorry," were the first coherent words the titan managed.

Zagreus nodded and smiled. "You have done well, Prometheus," he said. "Now I am in need of your counsel once more."

Prometheus nodded enthusiastically. "Anything, Zagreus, anything."

"I failed to win the support of Nico or the Jackson boy. But nor did I wish them harm."

"They are free?" Prometheus asked, "Then they will go to the Olympians!"

"I assumed as much," said Zagreus. "So my arrival is no longer a secret. There are those amongst the Olympians who wish me dead."

"There are those amongst the Olympians who have killed you," said Prometheus, worry in his voice. "We must arm you."

Zagreus nodded. So much he had realised by himself, but a weapon suitable for the future ruler of all would be difficult to procure..

"There is a weapon!" said Prometheus, "your father had it made for you! It is perfection."

"I think I remember it," said Zagreus, "black pommel, golden, silver…"

"That's the one," Prometheus grinned, "forged from celestial bronze and imperial gold, with a core of stygian iron."

Zagreus smiled at Prometheus' enthusiasm, "Where is it?"

Prometheus' smile diminished. "I don't know."

Zagreus scowled. Why bring it up when he didn't know?

"But there's more!" said Prometheus urgently, "The gods and titans, they all have Roman aspects."

"Yes, I know of this," said Zagreus.

"And do you know of yours?" Prometheus asked, eyes bright with pleasure at being able to give new information to his master.

"I don't have one," said Zagreus, "I died before the Romans."

"Not true, Zagreus," said Prometheus, "your Roman aspect was born from your death."

Zagreus was speechless for a moment. Was that even possible?

"His name is Aion," said Prometheus, "he caused a lot of trouble for many years. He kept possessing demigods."

"Possessing?" Zagreus asked, curiously.

"He has no physical form," Prometheus explained, "so whenever he could, he would take the body of a child of an elder god. That was his trick. It caused many problems, of course, and the other gods didn't appreciate it. Athena finally decided to imprison him inside…"

"My sword," Zagreus finished, "Aionia Kanonas."

Prometheus was grinning now, "Aionia Kanonas."

...xxx...xxx…

"No, I love you more," whispered Piper, her face a gentle, beautiful smile, as she lay on their glorious king-sized bed in her father's empty mansion.

"No," Jason replied, a hand running through her hair, "I love you more."

"No!" Piper half scolded, half laughed, all soft eyes and soft hair, "I love you more!"

"I think you'll find…" Jason started, then stopped up short. "Juno?"

"Juno?" said Piper, with a frown.

"Yes dear, Juno," said Juno, her voice cold and impatient, "I am in need of my champion."

Jason stood, always the soldier, even when he'd been expecting some sex. "My lady," he greeted, respectfully.

Piper didn't stand, but her expression grew sulkier.

"We are under attack, Jason," Juno said, with an uncharacteristic lack of preamble. "I need you, my champion, to defend Olympus."

Jason nodded. It was what he did, after all. "Attack by whom?" he asked.

"An old enemy," said Juno, "One that would steal my husband's throne, take my children's birthright, destroy my family."

"A titan?" Jason asked, "giant?"

"A usurper!" hissed Juno, "a pretender! A cuckoo in my nest! And you, my faithful hero, will lead an army against him."

Jason looked at Piper, still stretched out on their bed, looking at him through her curtain of dark hair. He was incredibly tempted to say no. But Jason wasn't that guy. He was a hero first and a lover second. He was a soldier of Rome, and he would always put that first.

"I am yours to command, my Queen," he said, and bowed once more. He saw his patron smile, and felt proud to serve.

...xxx...xxx…

Annabeth was beginning to get worried. She hadn't spoken to Percy in more than a day. He'd been gone overnight, without a word. This quest which he had refused to speak of, how long would it take? Was it deadly? She knew how many times they'd nearly died on quests for the gods. Percy may be the strongest demigod around, but he was far from invincible. He'd lost his invulnerability long ago, and Annabeth couldn't stop imagining all the many grisly ways Percy could be hurt. Or worse.

She sat up, trying to read books, trying to make wedding plans, trying to choose a dress. None of it was successful. She was too distracted by far.

It was while she was trying to make some breakfast, another task she could barely make herself care about, that she heard it. Someone was in her living room, moving around as though they hadn't a care in the world.

"Percy!" Annabeth cried, and darted through the apartment.

She burst into the living room, only to be confronted by Athena, dressed in her Greek majesty. She held a long thin package in her hand, and had a serious expression on her face.

"Mom?" said Annabeth, not quite sure what else to say.

"Annabeth, my daughter," Athena greeted, "I have asked much from you in the past. You have proven yourself the bravest and most resourceful of my children, and I hate to add to your burden. However…"

"What?" asked Annabeth. She knew better than to promise her help. Athena's expression was intense. She was not the confused being who had sent Annabeth after the Parthenon. But neither was she calm and in control.

"I have taken something. It was not against the old rules; it did not belong to anyone when I took it, but now…" she looked at the thin package in her hand. "I cannot predict what is to come. I have wisdom and strategy, but he is unknown to me. I do not know what he will do."

"Who?" asked Annabeth.

"His name is Zagreus," said Athena, "he was dead but now, thanks to that boy I keep telling you to stay away from, he is not. He will want this. I cannot keep it, it will contravene the ancient laws, and it will not be prudent to be found with it. My daughter, there is no one in the world I trust above you."

Annabeth couldn't help but be touched. It was rare to hear such praise from someone as proud and detached as her mother. But she was not foolish. She understood that this task was dangerous.

"You wish me to hide that?" she asked, "From this Zagreus?"

"Not for long," Athena assured her, "just until I can find a better hiding place."

"How long will that take?"

"A day, no more," said the goddess, "my daughter, I know I ask much..."

"I'll do it," said Annabeth. If Percy could take on secret dangerous quests without her knowledge then so could Annabeth. She would fight for her mother. She already had.

"You understand this is dangerous, Annabeth," Athena warned, "he may come for it, and I will not be able to protect you if he does."

"Mother," said Annabeth, with a confident smirk, "I am your daughter. I am more than capable of hiding a package."

Athena looked at her with pride, and Annabeth felt her chest swell with pleasure.

"My daughter, you must promise me something else," Athena added.

"What?" asked Annabeth, though more than ready to swear the same.

"You must not let Percy know of this. Do you promise?"

Annabeth lost some of her confidence. Percy was her rock. How could she lie to him?

"Percy cannot be trusted, Annabeth," Athena explained in hushed tones, "his loyalty has been stolen."

"That's not true," Annabeth complained. "He's…"

"He is not everything you think he is, Annabeth," Athena snapped. "You must promise me, you must not let him touch this. Do you understand?"

"Mother…" Annabeth protested.

"Do you understand?"

Annabeth waivered for only a moment. She thought of Percy, on his quest, away from her without a word and refusing to tell her why. There was no reason to be faithful to him over her mother.

Besides, it would only be for a few days.

"I understand," she said, "And I promise, Percy will not find out what you ask of me."

Athena had never looked prouder of her. Annabeth loved that look.

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