Disclaimer: I don't own Percy Jackson

The Monsters Come to Camp

In Which Everyone Freaks Out

WITH REYNA IN NEW ROME

Reyna was walking through the city of New Rome with a guarded expression on her face. The monsters had been mostly held back by Terminus and the legion but the few that had managed to entered activated bombs that destroyed most of the city and part of the third cohort barracks. Thankfully there were little to no casualties. Frank was worn out after the battle and resting in the infirmary with Hazel most likely tending to him.

Reyna sighed. If only I could find love… She quickly snapped herself out of those types of thoughts. They were a distraction from the work that had to be done. Hopefully in a week everything will be reconstructed and back to normal.

After she had finished Iris messaging with Chiron, she headed toward to where her favorite café was. It had managed to survive the bombing and the glass panes on the windows were easily repaired. She opened the door and went up to the counter, ordering a cappuccino with a dozen of glazed donuts. She figured she would indulge herself this once since the celebration at Camp Half-Blood would have to be rescheduled again.

"What happened here?"

Reyna turned to see Nico di Angelo walk out of the shadows. "We were attacked by some monsters. It was all very carefully planned. As you can see, their bombs got through and turned most everything to rubble."

"Except the bakery and most of the barracks," said Nico, trying to console her.

"Yes, you are right. These past few weeks have been a mess. I thought we would have some peace for at least a few more months. The fates have not been kind."

Nico shrugged and moved to sit across from Reyna at the café table. "The fates have never been kind. From the rumors I have heard from the ghost, someone is guiding them and giving them the recourses to attack. I came here to warn you of the possibility but it seems that I was too late."

Reyna finished a donut before offering one to Nico. "You look starved, eat." She waited until he took one before continuing. "I have warned Chiron that his Camp might be next. He is wise enough to warn the other campers and be prepared for the next attack."

"That's good. I was going to go there and warn them myself but now I don't have to."

Reyna sipped her coffee and gave him a look. "You should still go. They will need every soldier they can get if they want to come out with as little casualties as possible." Seeing his hesitation she guessed what was bothering him. "The search for Percy can wait. He would want you to search for him when the Camp is in danger. You know how he is."

Nico tensed. "Yeah, I should go now. Tell Hazel I will see her soon." Then he quickly stood up and disappeared into the shadows.

Reyna finished her drink and after giving a curt nod at the cashier she headed towards the Senate House to collect the rest of her paperwork.

WITH NICO AT CAMP HALF-BLOOD

When Nico arrived at Camp Half-Blood his first thought was I am too late. There were masses of monsters gathered around the border of the Camp and Peleus looked like he was having a hard time. There was a ring of demigods around the tree protecting the Fleece and another small group led by Clarisse attacking the flank of the army. A couple other demigods were scattered around fighting on their own and killing as many monsters as possible.

Nico raced down the hill to join the Campers. He spotted Jason rallying another group and headed towards him. He passed Leo and the Hephaestus campers setting up some catapults and cannons.

"Jason! Are you holding up alright?"

Jason turned around and smiled at Nico. "Hey, don't worry. We have it all under control. This is a good experience for some of the younger campers. Why don't you lead this group to charge the right flank to help the others defend the Tree? We need to take the pressure off the defenders. I want to go and help Percy create a storm that could get rid of them."

Before Jason could run off, Nico grabbed his arm. "Wait, did you find him?"

"Yeah, the Hunters found him and brought him in. He should he coming soon, he said he would get some water." As he spoke, a mass of water flew above the campers before crashing down on a group of telekhines who were trying to form ranks. They dissolved into dust on impact. Jason then flew above the monsters and called down lightning to help him fight against a horde of hellhounds who were trying to rip Peleus to shreds.

Nico felt lighter all of the sudden. Now that he knew that Percy was alright, it was as if a great weight had been lifted off his shoulders. He then led a group of Hecate campers down the hill to charge at the monsters.

The fighting was exhausting but to those who fought against Kronos, it was just another skirmish in the life of a demigod. The Apollo cabin fired arrow after arrow. When the monsters tried to form ranks, rocks were catapulted which either crushed the unfortunate monsters underneath or forced them to separate. From there they were easy pickings for any demigods they came across.

The problem was that more and more monsters were crowding around Thalia's Pine. The Athena cabin along with the Hermes cabin were standing on defense. Nico tried to get closer but some dracaenae were in his way. Frustrated, he called on the dead and ten armed skeletons sprung out of the ground. They were wearing a mix of army fatigues and Union Civil War uniforms. The skeletons went to work hacking away at the dracaenae while Nico raced up the hill to help the struggling half-bloods.

A shadow blocked the sun, causing him to look up. He almost laughed of joy in that very moment. Percy was on Blackjack and was leading a group of campers on Pegasi. Riptide flashed as Percy landed in front of the defending campers. He smirked and turned into a whirlwind of destruction. Any monster who dared approach him was either cut in half by Riptide or torn to shreds by Percy's claws.

As Nico fought off monsters, he saw Katie Gardner and the rest of the Demeter cabin causing the monsters to trip by causing the roots to grow wildly. The satyrs were close by to beat the monsters with their clubs.

Leo was pure fire as he hammered away at the enemies alongside Jason and Piper who were back to back in the midst of the battle. Chiron was calmly shooting arrows, decimating any who came near the Fleece. Butch and the Aphrodite cabin were also fighting along with the Ares cabin. Except for Drew, who was yelling at the others to fight and giving the monsters false objectives.

All in all, with the combined effort of the campers, the monsters were driven back one step at a time. Calypso and some of the Apollo medics were handling any who came injured.

"Hey Nico, long time no see!"

Nico slashed at another monster and replied, "Yeah well, I thought you disappeared off the face of Earth. Nice arm by the way."

Percy chuckled as he sliced the head off an empousai. "Thanks, it was a gift."

Nico took a couple of seconds to study him, "What's up with the crown and did you join the army or something," he said gesturing to the camouflage he was wearing.

"Nope, Percy replied. "The army wouldn't take me with my school record and I can't take the crown off. Not even when I sleep. Demeter gave it to me." Percy smiled sheepishly, "I became her champion after I lost my arm."

Nico took a while to digest the information he was just given. Well that does explain a lot. He decided to slash at the monsters instead of replying. Nico felt Percy tense. Blackjack swooped down and Percy climbed onto his back.

"Where are you going?" Nico shouted.

Percy's eyes were bright. "Demeter just told me she found out who is the one controlling the monsters!" Blackjack then reared up and flew off.

Nico was stunned for a few moments before deciding to race after him. He dodged a few duals and called on Mrs. O'Leary.

Woof! He climbed on her back and urged her to run in the direction Percy and Blackjack took. They duo shadow traveled in intervals to keep up with Percy.

Percy could be headed into danger. Nico did not have good experiences with Demeter. She wanted him to eat cereal and plow a field for the rest of his life. That existence did not appeal to him at all. Personally he didn't trust her. If someone could control monsters then that person must be powerful and dangerous if they were attacking the Camps.

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