'flashback or thoughts'

"normal speech"

Disclaimer: I own nothing of PJO or HoO

Chapter Fourteen: Grudge

"Are the plans in motion and our will under way?"

"Yes milord. You will get the chance to meet him soon." A feminine yet strong voice answered.

"And he is truly as special as you say? Do you think he really is the one to settle things?" Deep and booming, this voice sounded old, powerful and completely in control.

Dark brown eyes looked up from under dark bangs of hair. "He is the first one borne in centuries who could possibly help. Special not only in powers but also his will, his resolve, and his moral compass."

A grin slowly spread across the features of the ancient male. "Good. We have waited far too long for someone like him. Far too long…"

"What interest do you have with the child Pluto?" Diana goddess of the hunt asked the lord of the dead.

They had reconvened in the underworld, to discuss what sort of limitations they could possibly overcome in helping Percy on his quest. What loopholes existed for them to exploit and take advantage of to make sure he be successful.

A quirk of an eyebrow before his image flickered and Pluto stood where Hades once was. "So you find it prudent to obey Hera even though her plan has failed beyond belief?"

Each god stood in their Roman form, in the throne room of the elder god's castle. They finished their talk of how to help Percy and now only waited until Diana had to leave to meet Zoë.

Diana shook her head and sighed. "It was doomed to fail from the beginning. Merope informed me of what she had to do to Perseus. How Hera could possibly believe anyone was immune to the Lethe is beyond me."

"Pride." Pluto scoffed. "She has too much pride to think herself ever in the wrong. She assumed that when Persephone informed her of his little side adventure it meant Percy was immune instead of merely lucky he is one of the most powerful sons of Poseidon to ever be born. Not many of my brother's children can manipulate the waters of the underworld to keep him dry."

Diana frowned. "Yes I heard of his little adventure against the titan he renamed Bob. I cannot say I wouldn't have thought something similar though, if I was in Hera's shoes. Yet I know I wouldn't dare risk starting another war between the demigods, especially not now with our newest enemy showing their face."

Even the god of the dead shuddered at the reminder of Gaea. "Yes well, she probably wanted her champion to have some actual glory." Pluto muttered and then changed the subject. "What do you have to say to the boy Diana? Your interest in him lies in more than just his revival of your former lieutenant. It's also more than him slighting you in using your name to enter camp."

Diana looked away from Pluto. She wasn't avoiding his gaze but merely working through her thoughts. "You have shared some of the minor details of your deal with him. I can guess some of the rest," she ignored the way he fidgeted and looked somewhat annoyed, "I want to know his reasons for reviving Zoë and keeping her alive. For searching for a way to revive her permanently so that not even you could claim her life after the war ends."

"I cannot play favorites Diana. You know this. It is one of the greatest errors that Jupiter commits time and again and it only leads to more trouble so I refuse to do so with my children." Pluto gazed out the window in his throne room to look at his kingdom. "If Percy can find a way to revive Hazel, my child, then he will also revive Zoë permanently. I did not ask his reasons for wanting to, I have a good guess but it's not my business in the end. All I ask is that you not stop him, whether you like the answers he gives you when you question him or not."

Diana rubbed the bridge of her nose in irritation. "I wouldn't dare interfere in the quests of gods, especially when it involves two of the seven. Not now and perhaps not ever. Unlike many others I won't let pride get in the way of our overall safety."

Her eyes then grew cold and she lost all traces of humor. "But if I find his answers lacking. There will be no place on earth that I won't hunt him down for daring to harm one of my best friends and former lieutenant."

'If only you knew Diana. Percy asked me something of your personality as well. If only you knew why he would go to the ends of earth to make sure he succeeds. If only you knew what he plans to ask of you when you decide to talk to him.' Pluto looked upon the female goddess a bit mournfully.

She was overprotective sometimes and quick to anger, but he hoped that she would look upon Percy and see that little something special that so many others saw.

Hopefully she would end up trusting him to do what is best and keep his word. Just as Pluto now trusted him, and so many of the minor gods looked upon him in a positive light.

Though he did wonder. The source of all his information on Percy was notes sent to him in the underworld. All of them were signed with an M. The last requested a meeting with him in the near future.

'Merope. You said Merope informed you of Percy's condition Diana. Could this person be the same one to sign those notes with an M? Or am I just being paranoid and feeling that there is a bigger game we are all playing here. A game where we are not the Knights or even the Rooks as pieces, but mere pawns to play and discard.' Pluto wondered.

"You will have to aid him Nico." Hades demanded of his son and ambassador to the Roman camp despite being Greek.

"But dad-" Nico tried to protest.

"Not buts! Hera has obviously failed. She cannot fix this problem any longer and I for one am sick of Zeus and his wife making decisions that will doom us all time and again." Hades roared as he let his composure slip for a moment.

He sighed and calmed himself for a moment before he once again looked upon his son. A son that at the moment looked scared of his father.

"I apologize for losing my temper Nico. But there is too much at stake here to keep following a doomed plan. Hera failed, now it is up to the rest of us to pick up the pieces of the mess she created." Hades went over to stand besides his son who was looking out the window.

Nico went slightly stiff at his father's presence. Hades was never overly sentimental nor did he pamper his kids. "Dad… how much do you want me to help him? I mean, I don't think it'd be a good idea to reveal his entire past if he has finally gained the trust of the Romans. They might turn on him just as they turned on Jason."

Hades nodded in agreement. "Yes that is true. For now just act as if you do not know him. His memories are almost certainly lost forever but I cannot discount the possibility of their return. It is not my domain after all. Aid him in what you can, while keeping your cover as Roman Ambassador."

Nico frowned in confusion. Hades had told him how Hera had stupidly ordered Percy's memories washed with water from the River Lethe. There was no coming back from that.

Last time Percy went swimming in that River he had been conscious and forced himself to stay dry. That didn't happen this time.

Yet he felt almost obligated to try and get Percy to at least have faith in the Greek camp. That's where his friends were after all. Where Annabeth, Grover, Tyson and everyone else desperately missed him.

Then again, he couldn't throw Percy to the wolves that were the Romans.

If they found out he had ties to the Greek camp they would turn on him as fast as or faster than Jason. And Jason had grown up in the legion after all, spending over a decade in their ranks.

Nico gritted his teeth and ran a hand through his hair in irritation. 'What am I supposed to do? My father has given me direct orders to help Percy but pretend I don't know him. But if I do that then aren't I betraying the few friends at Camp Halfblood I have? And what'll happen if they find out I'm with Percy and not helping? This is crazy!'

"Son of Pluto. It is time to depart. I will take us to camp. From there you can discuss the information we promised to provide Percy with while I take care of a personal errand." Diana announced as she walked back into the throne room.

Nico took a small step backwards a bit skeptical at traveling with her.

In the end he just sucked it up and let her place a hand on his shoulder and flash them into the camp. "I have to check in with the camp and let them know I'm here Lady Diana. I'll meet up with Percy as soon as I can find him."

Diana let go of his shoulder and wordlessly went on her way. She nodded to confirm she heard him and then left towards the garden of Cleopatra where Percy promised to take Zoë.

Nico walked off in the direction of the praetors office and decided to let them know he was back in camp. This was more a formality than a necessity but he followed it anyways.

After he informed Reyna of his presence he asked for her and Frank, the other one of the confirmed prophecy children, to meet him in Cleopatra's garden.

Nico had some information to share as promised to Percy from his father. He had a feeling that Reyna should be informed as well since she was the praetor at camp.

Fifteen minutes later found Nico approaching a slightly nervous Percy. Hazel his sister stood alongside him and kept shooting him sly knowing grins.

When Hazel saw Nico approaching she jumped to her feet and rushed over to him. "Nico! What are you doing here?" She then grew slightly nervous. "Di-did father send you?"

Nico moved to quickly squash any fears she may have. "No. Well he didn't send me for you. You know how he is Hazel. For the moment he can't do anything and won't risk possibly running into you and ruining his cover of not knowing you are here."

Hazel frowned but accepted his words. While it would be nice to see her father again after so long, she also didn't want to be forced back to the underworld simply because her father was forced to do his job.

She quickly brightened up and motioned over to Percy. "Nico you need to meet my friend Percy. He got here a little bit ago but he's already Praetor!"

Nico did a double take at that new bit of information. He knew that the Romans trusted Percy, it was hard not to after defending camp from a giant, but to rise to praetor already? Impressive.

"Hi. I'm Nico di Angelo. Ambassador of Pluto." He stuck his hand out for Percy to shake, hoping his amnesic friend wouldn't notice how nervous he was.

Percy looked at the new ambassador and couldn't help but frown slightly. He knew that he was Hazel's brother, she told him of Nico before. Yet there was just something slightly off about him, like a feeling of déjà vu.

Maybe he was what Lupa meant when she said his memories lay in Camp Jupiter. It would explain why he hadn't felt as at ease in camp as he wanted to. Nothing major just a slight itch or feeling that something was missing.

"Nice to meet you Nico." Percy grinned slightly, "Another ambassador huh? Wonder why no one's mentioned you before."

Nico quirked an eyebrow at that but shook it off as a slip of the tongue. For a second there he thought Percy said something like there being another ambassador around. That was impossible though, only Diana used to send an ambassador to camp.

"So Percy. How do you like camp so far? I mean you're the praetor so there's gotta be something you liked about his place right?" Nico asked awkwardly, trying to start a conversation.

"Oh there definitely is." Hazel answered brightly in place of Percy. She shot him a teasing grin before continuing. "Percy is very passionate about camp. He-"

"He is your superior officer Centurion Levesque." Percy tried glaring at Hazel but failed miserably as he had to fight to stop his fidgeting under her knowing gaze. "Just, just leave it alone please? It's not like anythi-"

Percy was cut off this time, by the same girl he had interrupted. Hazel giggled and waved his concerns away. "Right right. I know that, you know that, maybe even she knows that but… what will Lady Diana say?"

Percy paled at her words and looked over to the opposite side of the garden where Diana and Zoë were still deep in conversation. As if knowing she was the topic of discussion, Diana looked up from talking to Zoë and met Percy's gaze.

Her face was expressionless, betraying absolutely no emotion even as Zoë steadfastly refused to turn around and look over at where Diana was staring. She kept her eyes on Percy until he grew nervous and looked away.

"Oh man." Percy threw his hands in the air. "What does that mean?! Should I be worried or is that not what I was supposed to do? What's going on?"

Nico was completely lost in this conversation. Something big had happened before he showed up and he needed to know what. "What are you guys talkin-"

Hazel cut off her brother. "Relax Percy. It's not as bad as it seems. I mean it's not like you did something completely unexpected anyways."

The son of the sea only stared, mouth wide open. "What does that mean?! Why can't I understand what I'm supposed to do?"

The golden eyed daughter of Pluto only giggled some more, trying to hide it behind her palm. She failed miserably.

"Percy Jackson." Diana called all their attention to her. She was walking over to them and had left Zoë back in the opposite side of the garden. "Might I have a word with you?"

Percy looked to Diana and then Zoë and back to Diana again. She didn't look angry or radiate any sort of ill intent, but she didn't look happy or anything either.

He nodded and followed her to another corner of the garden, behind one of the marble pillars wreathed in ivy.

"What are your intentions with Zoë." Ah, blunt and to the point. Diana sure didn't mince words.

"Well… look about what happened earlier-" Percy started to reply. The Roman goddess cut him off shortly though. Her patience running thin.

"Never mind that." She snapped. "I have something more important to discuss and my time is running out. I was just curious that is all. Now then, Pluto said you had something you wished to ask me?" She finished with a questioning look, curious about any request he might have.

All traces of nervousness vanished in Percy. He ignored his personal worries over how Diana viewed him and Zoë. Cool and confident he asked a question that would determine how he should act around his best friend. The nervous and confused child of the sea was gone, replaced by the confident and in control praetor that Rome demanded of him.

He asked in a cool but serious tone of voice. "Lady Diana. I wish to know. I'm guessing you already know somewhat of my deal with Lord Pluto. So, if I succeed. If Zoë can return and stay in the world of the living permanently, will you allow her to be happy again like I know she wants? Will you allow her to smile as bright as I know she is able? Will you allow her entry once again, to be a maiden under your guard? To be a hunter alongside you?"

Reyna walked into the garden in time to catch Diana and Percy walk away to talk. She nodded to Hazel and acknowledged Nico's presence before Frank darted in out of breath.

"I'm not late am I?" He asked hurriedly.

The female praetor had her arms crossed and frowned briefly but shook her head no. "Ambassador Nico. You called us all here, can we get started?"

Nico looked over his shoulder to where Diana and Percy were still talking. He then looked across the garden to where the girl that Diana had been talking to was still standing. She'd put her hood up again and was still over there, gathering her thoughts.

"What did you need us all here for Nico?" Hazel asked politely after she saw his reluctance in starting.

Nico shifted a bit anxiously, debating whether or not to wait for the other two to get back. He ended up shrugging and giving it up as a lost cause and explained what he could. "I've been asked to come along with some of you for when you sail to Greece. I take it that it will be your destination won't it?"

Reyna reluctantly nodded, finding it annoying that Nico knew the decisions made only recently during the senate meeting. "Yes. Alcyoneus said that they will attack Olympus in Greece so we have to be there to defend it."

"Yeah well I'm supposed to help. To show Olympus that my father is on your side." Nico explained while leaving out that he was also asked to make a side trip with Percy. It involved the quest that Pluto had him going on.

"We won't all go to Greece immediately however." Reyna pointed out.

"Why's that?" Hazel asked timidly, not wanting to seem to be questioning her praetor.

The daughter of Bellona grimaced as she had hoped to convince Percy of her plan before speaking of it. "We have received news of the scouts sent out after the Greek warship. We damaged their ship and they had to repair it but our spies confronted them. They escaped again but not before giving their next destination. Fort Sumter in Charleston."

Frank rubbed his chin in thought, a highly amusing picture, what with his crew cut and asian-baby features. "So what are we gonna do then? We gonna go after the warship and then go to Greece?"

"We should split up." Nico interrupted. Reyna seemed to agree so Nico continued. "Whatever answers you guys can get from the ones on the warship would be useful but we shouldn't delay finding our own ship to get to Greece. This way we can accomplish both and just meet up later on."

Hazel looked skeptical at the idea of splitting up but didn't say anything.

Frank didn't look too confident either but would follow whatever orders his praetor gave. He wasn't one to neglect duty.

"The only thing to decide now is who goes with who." Reyna broke in.

All the gathered demigods agreed that was true but Hazel seemed to grin for absolutely no reason as she turned to look at the approaching Percy.

"Good luck on your journey Percy." Reyna was a little shocked and awed that another Olympian goddess had met with Percy in person. One that was supposed to abhor men too. "And do remember what we talked about."

Percy only gave a grim nod of his head to show his understand. He was a little surprised though when all his friends and that Nico guy immediately took a knee at Diana's presence.

"L-Lady Diana. We are honored to meet you." Reyna stuttered.

The goddess of the moon frowned slightly and asked them to stand. "I am not here for pleasantries Romans. You all have a journey to start. I wish you safe passage." She started to glow slightly and all present shut they eyes before she stopped and snapped her fingers. "Oh! I almost forgot Percy." She rummaged in her jacket pockets for a few seconds and pulled out a scroll. "Salacia sent some information for you as she promised."

Percy accepted the scroll and unfurled it. After reading a few lines he looked up in question at the Olympian goddess.

Diana rolled her eyes and answered the silent inquiry. "She gave it to one of my hand maidens. A niece of hers that likes to stay in contact with her, so she could give me the scroll knowing I would see you today."

Everyone looked confused at what she was saying but Percy who understood. He nodded gratefully and pocketed the scroll to discuss its contents later. They were about Gaea's movements and important but something he needed to about with Reyna and Zoë first.

It was at that moment that Zoë finally started to walk to his position. Diana looked between Zoë and Percy, giving the latter a meaningful look before she left the camp in flash of light.

"I think we should discuss who goes with who now that we're all here." Nico suggested.

Percy had a vague idea what he was talking about, knowing that Pluto would send someone to help him get his quest accomplished. "Oh right guys. I guess this means we're deciding who goes to get us a boat first and who goes after the warship?"

"Yes." Reyna interjected. "For the boat to sail to Greece all it would take is some letters of recommendation to ask for help from any retired Romans that have a ship on the docks. So that leaves us with deciding who goes to secure the ship and prepare it before we depart. The rest of the legion will follow us as soon as they are ready to set out in mass."

"I'll probably go and get the ship guys. I'm pretty useful in the water so it shouldn't take me too long to get it ready so we can set sail." Percy pointed out.

"Ok then," Hazel agreed. "Considering Arion is still around I think I should be one of the ones to confront the Greeks and – and Jason…"

Frank looked sympathetically over at Hazel. "I'll go with you. I can be pretty useful and versatile in a fight now so I should be okay to confront them."

"I'll go as well. We need answers, even if they are not prepared to spill their guts, I might be able to trick them into revealing something." Reyna offered.

"Great!" Percy declared. "So that leaves me, Nico and-"

"Me." Zoë cut in.

Nico looked over curiously at the hooded girl, wondering what she could offer.

Zoë had been in a deep and contemplative mood since her talk with Diana. It had been a day full of surprises for her and only now was it sinking in. She had fought Greek demigods, taken part in two senate meetings where she had to help defend Percy, had that incident with Percy just recently, and then met the goddess that had saved her from a life full of misery and kept her company for thousands of years.

So she wasn't exactly thinking everything through when she reached up to remove her hood. As the hood fell away, revealing her face, eyes and hair, she truly noticed the look Nico was giving her.

Nico di Angelo was absolutely stunned at who was in front of him. He'd thought the voice sounded familiar but now, after the hood was off and revealed her face, he recognized the person in front of him.

In front of the prince of the underworld stood Zoë Nightshade, former Lieutenant of Artemis and the one person he blamed entirely for Bianca's death. He quickly overcame his shock and his eyes lit with fury. A snarl escaped his lips and his face twisted into a look of agony and hatred.

"You!" He growled out as he reached for the Stygian Iron sword at his side. "It's you! It's your fault. You killed my sister. Everything is your fault!" He screamed as he unsheathed his blade.

Percy and everyone else who stood in the garden were looking on in shock at Nico. He was very emotional, something that none of the Romans had seen from the ambassador of Pluto before.

"Nico. What are you talking about?" A confused and startled Percy asked.

Zoë's eyes met Nico's and she flinched at the hatred reflected in his pitch black orbs. She recognized instantly the younger brother of the last girl she had convinced to join the hunt. She felt guilty about leading that girl to her death so couldn't forget the brother she had left behind.

In truth, she did blame herself for Bianca dying. If she hadn't brought the newest hunter with her, then perhaps Nico would still have a sister. If she had been a better leader from the start of the quest, treated Percy better, gotten along with the Satyr and Thalia, maybe Bianca wouldn't have met her end so early.

Her eyes expressed how full of self-loathing and regret she was. It hurt Percy to see Zoë react that strongly to Nico's words. But what happened next absolutely shocked everyone present, even if it was inevitable after the outcry of Nico.

"I'll never help you in anything." Nico snarled, "It should have been you instead of Bianca. I hate you! I'll make sure you end up sharing her fate. I'll kill you!"

"Nico! What are you saying!" Hazel yelled frantically.

Frank stepped forward between Nico and Hazel, to shield her should he make any sudden moves.

Without letting anyone else react, Nico lunged with a two-handed grip forward. Intent on skewering the one he held most responsible for Bianca's death.

Maybe it was the rage, or the grief, perhaps it was his godly heritage kicking in, but no one could believe how fast Nico moved from his position several meters away from Zoë to instantly appear in front of her.

No one could believe nor did they react when blood splattered and flew through the air. The crimson liquid landing on Nico's face, and a few drops narrowly missing Reyna and Hazel who were closest to Zoë.

None knew what to do when the wound kept pouring out the precious life sustaining liquid onto the blade.

Nothing happened except for the blood running down the metal until it pooled at the hilt and fell to the floor.

No one knew what to do and no one reacted until it was too late to stop.

Only Zoë's choked whisper of pain and surprise finally pushed everyone into action. "P-Percy!"

A/N To guest reviewer Lmari43, thank you. That's exactly what I was going for and you are the first to let me know. You're awesome

I would apologize for missing my weekly update timeline but... Netflix sent me a month free subscription AGAIN after I canceled my subscription a few months ago. I mean come on... you'd be a fool to pass something like that up. So yeah, I've been watching a LOT of tv lately

So I read this awesome book that more than anything helped me to if not stop, then at least cut down on all the whining I do every day. You guys should give it a try, its pretty good.

Deadline by Chris Crutcher

Double (or should it be considered triple?) update today folks. If you haven't (and why wouldn't you?) go check out the new chapter of Flames of Chaos, a story started by an author many times more talented than I am but that allowed me to adopt it. New chapter is up. As well as the first chapter to a new story that's been bouncing around my head for a while now.

As always please leave all questions, comments and concerns on the way out.