Disclaimer: I do not own anything besides the basic plot.
Main Pairing: Nico/Percy
Summary: Set after the war with Gaea. Tartarus has taken a greater toll on Percy than he thought. The war with Gaea is what consumed his time; now that it's over he has too much time. When he realizes what the price is for being in Tartarus he isn't so sure that he was glad to survive.
Chapter 14: Second Day; Approaching Death Part 1
PERCY
Not that it wasn't pleasant to relive some very fond memories but it was more the fact that this only happened, supposedly, when you were going to die. Your life flashes before your eyes. Percy guessed it was suitable that it would be him but it still stung to know that he was going. No doubt he would end up Elysium but that wasn't the point.
It was Nico. Finally he had gotten the sexy half-Italian only to be laid in an early grave. Yeah he knew that demi-gods rarely even got to this age and considered himself very lucky but it didn't mean that the whole situation wasn't a bummer.
Now the memories stopped even though there were still plenty more to go. There were certain memories that, if he really was going to die, he really wanted to relive. Of course one of those being his first time with the son of Hades, if it skipped over that particular one Percy so wanted refund.
Look at him, going to die he is. I can't wait.
How pathetic to make it this far just to be buried six feet deep.
Damned demi-god deserves it, he made so many of us re-spawn!
I can't wait until Tartarus drags him down so we can torment his soul forever; until he forgets his name, who he was, what he did, and who he cared for. I want to completely destroy him.
What the hell was that? That certainly hadn't happened already. Percy was pretty sure he was supposed to be reliving his life not adding new memories.
Yes, Tartarus is within him so he just upped the damage and now the sea brat is in a comma of sorts. The others are of no concern, they also will be pulled into the pit.
How dare they say that about his friends, his family and they were so wrong if they thought the others were of no concern, that was a horrible mistake to underestimate them.
Then the breath was knocked out of his lungs as if something heavy suddenly pressed against his chest making the air leave him with a 'whoosh'. The scene had changed, but it wasn't something from his past. What he saw made him want to scream at the top of his lungs and seek revenge.
All of them that had accompanied him on this quest lay dead and mangled. Their limbs lying at odd angles and deep gashes littered the now fallen heroes. It was gruesome and at this moment Percy almost begged to be rendered blind again.
What got his attention was the corpse of Nico. The half-Italian lay there with wide opened already turned white with death. His lovely olive skin tone had paled to a sickly shade of grey. It seemed that all his limbs where either gruesomely torn off or hanging at odd angles. Tears spilled from Percy's eyes as he dropped to his knees. Shaky hands reached out as he tried to stroke Nico's cheek.
"Shh Percy." Warm hands covered his eyes and he didn't stop who or whatever it was. "Don't let the images get to you, they're fake and they're not what is to come. This is Tartarus playing games with your mind. Do not give in." This voice was familiar.
"Iaso?" He heard a soft chuckle.
"Yes."
Strangely he felt calm as the goddess stroked a hand through his hair while keeping her hand firmly pressed over his eyes. Yes, he was calm because this reminded him of how his mother would help him get through nightmares. She would sit with him and rub his head and cover his eyes telling him it was only a dream and they can't hurt you unless you let them.
Before he knew it he was sobbing as Iaso gently pulled the boy to her. Percy wrapped his arms around her wishing it was his mother but she gave off such warmth, just like his mum. She hugged him and kept running her hand through his hair in an attempt to settle the demi-god.
It seemed at this point Tartarus didn't care if Iaso made contact with Percy in his dreams. The nasty put thought he had already won. So, because of that, the goddess will use this to her opportunity and stay and keep the son of Poseidon from going crazy with the images and torture that Tartarus had prepared for his dreams.
"It's ok now, you can open your eyes." Percy carefully followed her advice.
Smiling Percy looked out onto the flower field they now stood in. The wind was gentle and blew the flowers so the y swayed and rippled making it remind him of the ocean. It was beautiful and so much better than that awful scene before. Thinking about it gave him chills.
"This is beautiful, did you change it, the dream that is?"
"Yes, I thought this would be better than whatever Tartarus had thought would break you and your will to live." Gee how nice.
The hung high in the sky and made everything look bright and cheery. Fat bumble bees lazily made their way from flower to flower as birds chirped and flirted with each other in the sky. All-in-all this was a godsend, in the case goddess-send, compared to that horrible depiction of a mangled Nico.
"I suppose he doesn't care if you contact me now that we are close to finding him. He is so getting his butt kicked when I wake up." She smiled at the demi-gods enthusiasm as she decided to keep to herself why Tartarus didn't mind. It looked as though Percy didn't know he had an expiration date.
"That, handing of the butt, is something I would like to see. If he hadn't manifested a human shape then I think I would have trouble seeing how you would kick his non-existent butt." Percy chuckled as the two made their way to an already laid out blanket and sat down.
"Don't worry Iaso my friends and I will definitely save you." Never had she seen such a pure person before.
"What about getting your sight back?" Judging by the look on the demi-gods face the thought hadn't occurred to him until just now.
"Oh right, that's why we came isn't it." He chuckled. "That's not what's important, saving you is. Heck as long as being blind doesn't kill me I wouldn't mind I suppose as long as it meant that we save you." Amazing, now she understood why the bad guys hated him and the good guys nearly fell over each other to get a glimpse of the hero.
"You're a funny one Percy. I knew there was a reason I liked you." She ruffled the already messy hair of the son of Poseidon.
"To be honest I didn't know you existed until a couple of days ago." He smiled sheepishly at her.
"Now you've gone and hurt my feelings." She feigned sadness.
"Oh shoot, that came out wrong didn't it? It's not that you're not important but…" The right words escaped him.
"I'm teasing you Percy. Don't sweat it, I kind of like not being as well-known as others. It means I have less boring duties and more time devoted to helping others." She smiled at him the flecks of gold and green in her eyes really sparkling with amusement.
"Gods you scared me there for a second, I almost thought I was in deep trouble." He scratched the back of his neck.
It was strange to Iaso that they would choose her out of the scores of healing deities out of there but in a way she was flattered. Without it she would have never met such a gem of a demi-god. Now she knew why even the hardened queen of the heavens, Hera, had a soft spot for the boy.
"Nico is a lucky boy. It's a shame you're gay." She winked at him as Percy turned six shades of red.
For a second Percy just spluttered as he attempt to regain composure. This sent the goddess over the edge and she began to laugh at the blushing son of Poseidon.
"Th-that…" Percy could only blush.
"You're too adorable!" She poked his cheek as he pouted.
"I'm not cute."
"Are too."
"Are not."
"Are too."
"Are not."
"Are not."
"Are too… aw dammit!"
"Hah! See even you agree that you are adorable." Percy cursed at the little trick the goddess played on him.
"Fine you win. I am just so cute and fuzzy." Puffing his cheeks up like a child didn't help the demi-gods case whatsoever.
The goddess put her hand to her chest and took in a sharp breath. Percy raised a brow and went to ask if she was ok just as she pulled a pained face.
"Iaso what's wrong?"
"It's just that stupid pit." She gasped. "The chains I am bound to are slowly being pulled into Tartarus and soon it will take me with it. I can't stay any longer. I'm sorry Percy but it's too painful to keep this up." She screwed her eyes shut in pain.
"It's ok, I'll be right here." Before she disappeared she kissed his forehead in a motherly way and shuddered out of sight.
He had been by himself for quite some time. It wasn't so bad until the scenery changed and it was just black and emotionless. At least, he thought, he could see his own hands in this gods forsaken dream world.
They arrive!
Yes, delicious little demi-gods.
Scrumptious little snacks!
Great now he could hear those voices but couldn't find them and there was nothing he could pound to calms his nerves. How was he supposed to help his friends when he couldn't wake up? Percy groaned and ran his hands through his hair out of frustration.
Now he was feeling guilt. He had brought his friends on this personal quest and he couldn't even be awake to help them. What if they were already fighting? The image of a mangled Nico crossed his mind and it made him nauseous. Now it was fear coursing through his veins at the thought of having condemned his friends to death.
Tartarus, it was Tartarus! How were they supposed to be defeated a life-sucking pit!? Fear gripped and clenched at his heart making Percy yell out in pain and frustration. He couldn't be stuck in this dream!
Another thought crossed his mind. What if, just what if, the image of Nico's mangled body was real and this, where he was right now, was his personal hell. Perhaps the pit had already taken their entire ship. Percy didn't know but if that was the case then he didn't want to imagine what the rest of his friends might look like.
Now he was pacing back and forth. With nothing to do his mind was going to dangerous and dark places. First couple of thoughts had been innocent enough: how he wished he would have told his mother the truth, to eat her blue chocolate chip cookies, feel Nico's body against his, take a swim in the ocean, and so on. Then it had taken a turn for the worse cursing the fact that he was alive, a bastard child, not good enough in every way, didn't deserve anything he had ever gotten. Now it was in the darkest place, contemplating if he could in fact kill himself in this dream.
It was to no avail, first off he didn't want any of the pain and second he didn't have anything in which to stab, poison, or jump off. Now he was laying on his back staring up at the great black expanse that stretched all around him. He was bored.
Right now he wished for a least the voices to be back. Then again if he told anyone about them he would be considered a mental-case. That was a laugh in itself considering that if he told any mortal about any of his quests they would have him tied up and committed. Hmm being tied up… that didn't sound so bad.
As it were his mind had to go somewhere so it went to its happy place, with Nico. Oh it was a very wonderful place indeed. Although imagining the act while being able to see had brought a nice blush to his cheeks. Gods, to be able to see Nico, to know what how his face would contort in pleasure would be awe inspiring. This was the best place to be, his happy place.
Percy's fantasies had now taken over. It warped the dream world into one more of his liking. Nico had Percy seated in his lap while the son of Hades was kissing and sucking on the smaller half-blood's neck. Yes, this was the distraction he needed. Without second thought the son of Poseidon delved deeper into the fantasy and soon had his pants down at his ankles.
Shaky hands reached down to touched the hot and hardened flesh as the son of Poseidon began to stroke himself. Again he let the fantasy take over.
NICO
"Nico!" It was Percy's excited voice as the raven haired demi-god ran up to him with a grin plastered on his face.
"What's got you in such a good mood mioamore?" Percy kept grinning.
"Nico!" The half-Italian chuckled.
"Yes, I'm here what do you want?"
"Nico!"
"Ok, I get it we are playing a game." He stroked his chin thoughtfully as he stared down at the grinning son of Poseidon.
"Nico!" Not that he didn't love Percy but this was getting a little annoying.
"What is it?" Again all Percy did was grin up at him.
"Nico!" Strange, that wasn't Percy's voice.
"Get your ass out of bed before I kick it out!" That certainly wasn't how his Sea Prince would wake him up.
Groaning Nico slowly opened his eyes to Reyna and Annabeth hovering over his bed. Well, what a sight to wake up to. He wished, instead, it had been Percy coaxing him awake with little kisses planted in strategic places all over his body but that wasn't what he got was it.
Soon the sleep haze wore off and Nico practically flew out of bed. Questions were racing through his head, too many at once to even think about creating a coherent sentence.
"No, he's not awake yet." Annabeth looked at him sympathetically while Reyna stood strong at her side.
"We have, however, made it to Pompeii."
Then they were right to wake him. Every minute spent on this ship was one less spent fighting for Percy's life. To the son of Hades that wasn't an option.
"Is everyone ready to go?" He inquired in a still groggy voice.
"Yes, we woke you last because you needed the most sleep you bone head. Don't think Percy would be happy that you were practically killing yourself to keep vigil over him. He'd smack you right upside the head." Damn the blond girl was probably right.
"Fine, I know I'm stupid but I'd like to see you keep your cool if Reyna were lying in that bed rather than Percy." He shot them both a playful glare before stretching and thus successfully cracking every single bone in his body.
"We will meet you above deck. We have Percy on a stretcher, with extra ambrosia and nectar. You have the vial that Lord Apollo gave, right?" Nico panicked as he patted his pockets only to find it tucked away safely in the inside pocket of his jacket. With a sigh he gave them a nod.
"We've always managed to get through these quests before; we will make it in time." Annabeth reached out and squeezed his hand reassuringly. If it was anyone else telling him this he wouldn't believe them but Annabeth knew better than almost anyone about looming deadlines.
The two girls left him to get ready for the trek and the unavoidable showdown with Tartarus. Slowly he unwrapped the vial as the soft blue light emanated from the strange liquid. This, he knew, he had to use wisely. There couldn't be any screw ups on his part when it came to his precious Sea Prince. Sure that vial was real Nico carefully wrapped the precious stuff back up and placed it again in the inside pocket of his jacket.
Breathing steadily to calm his nerves Nico made his way above deck. Keeping his hand on the hilt of his sword he joined the group that had assembled around the sleeping form on the stretcher. He couldn't look at him, not now, not until he had to. Nico feared that if he were to look at the son of Poseidon he wouldn't be able to think straight and thus cost them the quest and that was not an option.
They had docked near the entrance to the city. From where they were many tourists could be seen milling about. Nico only wondered how they preserved Tartarus's goons, what shape they took in the mortal's minds. The only question was - how to get in with their weapons.
"Looks like we have to go through the front door." Reyna scanned the surrounding area. Strange, she didn't see any monsters yet.
"I brought us all enough money to get in." Annabeth began handing out the exact amount to each person along with a map of the city and stopped when she looked at Percy.
"Don't worry about him we'll take a different route." Nico glanced at the map. "We will all meet at the Temple of Apollo in exactly one hour." No way he wanted to meet at the Temple of Jupiter, although it was near to the Temple of Apollo.
"Great, let's break off into groups then, I say that Will, you should go with Nico and Percy in case anything should… you know." Will nodded and moved a little closer to Percy and Nico.
The rest paired off while Leo let down the rope ladder. First went Hazel, Frank and Leo (there was no way the two Romans were going to let their precious Greek go with someone else). Following them was Jason and Reyna, the Roman dream team (at least in Piper and Annabeth's opinion). Last to leave the ship was Annabeth and Piper.
Still on the ship was a comatose Percy, Nico and Will. With Nico in the lead and holding tightly to two of the hand holds for the stretcher headed toward a very shadowy part of the ship with Will bringing up the rear. "Think about the Temple of Apollo when we enter the shadows and it will be over quick." Before Will could really respond Nico had plunged them into the shadows.
On the other side Will looked a little green as they came out just to the back of the temple. Nico had to smirk considering Percy always found it fun and exhilarating to shadow travel. Now all they had to do was wait for the others to arrive.
Making sure that they kept out of the eyes of the tourists Will and Nico took out their maps and began to study the path they would take to the amphitheatre. It turns out the blasted thing was pretty much at the city limits. While shadow traveling did sound appealing Nico didn't want to run right into a trap so that was a no go.
"Great, who knows what kind of horrors Tartarus had waiting for us in the Palaestra. Although it's strange isn't it that we haven't seen any monsters yet?" Nico couldn't help but agree.
"Very strange, we didn't even meet anything coming here." Both felt uneasy about this especially since they were in the ancient lands, there should be hordes of hungry monsters waiting for some scrumptious demi-gods. So, where were they?
Will checked his watch and informed Nico that everyone should be showing up soon. The two sat in silence as they scanned the area for their approaching friends. The first to arrive were the roman dream team – Jason and Reyna. Both had worried scowls on their faces.
"We didn't have any trouble getting here, a long line perhaps but other than that… nothing." Jason's lips turned into a hard line.
"Exactly, we haven't seen anything out of the ordinary either. As long as we've been waiting you would think there would be a monster or two but nothing." Nico saw how the two Romans gave each other worried glances.
"Hey guys, no trouble on our end!" Leo came running up to them with Frank and Hazel hot on his tail.
Soon Annabeth and Piper also arrived. "No trouble is exactly the trouble, I think I would feel more comfortable with some monsters biting at our heels but nothing." Each not wanting to admit it but they were troubled by this fact. Several worried glances found their ways to the sleeping form of Percy.
"Remember what Lord Apollo said about Percy pretty much having a piece of the pit inside of him?" She gave meaningful glances at those who were present at the gods arrival.
"Yes, that he would know where Percy was at all times and such." Hearts sank and rocks settled in all of their stomachs, this meant that the bastard already knew they were there. It still didn't explain why no monsters had attacked them thus far.
"What if.." Hazel fought for the right words to continue, "What if that's the reason why nothing has attacked us because of Percy." Annabeth and especially Nico knew she had a point. Everything and anything was pretty much afraid of the pit so it would be logical that if a piece was inside of Percy that monsters would stay away.
"For now, if that's so we should use it to our advantage and go now while the monsters are scarce. The sooner we get there the better chances Percy will have." Nico stood getting nods from everyone as he still refused to look at Percy's sleeping face.
It was already afternoon which meant they had until sunset. Assuming it took about an hour to reach the amphitheatre then they might had a fighting chance to free Iaso and get Percy healed.
"Everyone stay in your groups and don't stray from them. Even if we are separated as a while you will still be with allies." Some good advice from the Roman dream team.
"According to the map there is a Triangular Forum and Doric Temple about…" It took Annabeth a moment to calculate the time they would need to arrive there. "I would say a little over thirty minutes away, we should make it our goal to arrive there first, a rendezvous point if you will. That way if we do get separated we will have a way to regroup."
"Good, everybody got that?" Nico waited as everyone nodded with their eyes on their own maps.
Nico and Will assumed their position at the head of foot of Percy's stretcher and lifted him up. Now the only challenge for them way to make it seem like carrying an unconscious person was just every day stuff. They could hear the tourists but they couldn't see them at the moment.
Luckily Leo had suggested they walk in a circle around Percy to block him from view as much as possible. For some reason Will looked a little surprised while Leo complained that he could be smart too. Hazel kissed his cheeks while Frank wished he had a camera to capture that adorable pouty face.
Careful to avoid the looks of the tourists around then the group made their way past the Forum and looming (at least in Nico and Hazel's opinion, Jason thought it was fantastic) Temple of Jupiter. So far they were doing well in not attracting any attention of monsters or tourists.
Of course it was short lived. It had probably been a good 15 minutes and the Triangular Forum was coming into view when a couple of security guards came walking past them. It would have been ok but one of the guards just had to look a little too closely at the strangely arranged group and his eyes nearly popped out of his head when he saw Percy in a stretcher.
"Nico, I think it's time we split up and you and Will shadow travel to our rendezvous point." Hazel thrust her head in the direction of the approaching guards.
"Hey, you kids." Thick Italian accents laced their voices as they attempted to get the attention of the odd group of teenagers. "Stop right there."
"Now Nico, we will distract them!" The circle dissipated and the groups split off leaving the guards spluttering and chasing after Will and Nico considering they had someone in a stretcher with them.
"Stop!" He used the radio on his sleeve to contact backup as Nico rounded a dead end with a good looking shadow.
"Hold on Will, it's going to be like last time!" They ran at the wall while the guards waved his hands widly and yelled only to have the teens he was chasing disappear into thin air.
"Fuck! That was almost too close for my liking." Nico stomped his foot, now they would have to wait for the others to arrive.
"If I have to shadow travel one more time." Will nearly heaved as he plopped himself on the ground still holding onto the foot of Percy's stretcher. "Good thing we did though…" He glanced at Nico who gave him a strange look.
"What is it?" He knew what it was but he still couldn't help but ask because maybe he would be wrong.
"Have a look for yourself." Will was checking Percy's rapidly cooling temperature while Nico slowly let his eyes wander down to the son of Poseidon.
First thing he saw were black and purple veins standing out on the snowy white face. Deep dark circles underneath those beautiful closed eyes making them look sunken in, almost like a skull. This was not right; this was not his beautiful and healthy Percy. That, what he saw, was the picture of death.
Dropping to his knees but careful not to let the head of Percy's stretcher fall Nico reached one hand out and caressed the cold and pale cheek. This wasn't right, wasn't he supposed to look like this only when it was his last hours and only then? No, he guessed not. This wasn't fair! Just when he had gotten his beautiful Sea Prince he had to be ripped from him.
Anger welled up in Nico's chest causing the shadows around them to shift and grow larger. Will looked around nervously as a dark scowl found its way to Nico's face.
"Nico, you need to calm down." Calm down, calm down? Did he seriously suggest that?
"Shut the fuck up Will." He did not raise his voice and that probably scared will the most.
"What I mean is that if you keep this up you won't be a help to Percy, you can't go in there angry it will cloud your judgement." Dammit the sun brat was right.
"Just give me a moment." Will got the hint and made himself scarce as Nico knelt beside Percy's head.
Leaning down he kissed the now chapped lips of his Sea Prince. "I love you." He couldn't say anything more, if he were to open his mouth only sobs would come out.
Feeling his jacket for the vial he breathed a sigh of relief to know it was still there. As much as he wanted use it now he knew it would be a waste and it would cost Percy's life if he was foolish with such an important gift. Nico placed his forehead on Percy's cool one and lifted the other boy up into a short embrace.
"Nico, what's going on?" Looks like Reyna and Jason have arrived.
"It's just…" His voice broke as he tried to get a sentence to come out but nothing was coming as Nico simply gestured to Percy's deathly pale face.
"Oh gods… the others… Nico maybe you should go ahead." Jason stepped forward and placed a hand on Nico's shoulder.
"No, it wouldn't do any good to arrive without backup." Will took this moment to re-join the group.
Soon Hazel, Frank and Leo came into view followed by Piper and Annabeth. Emmidielty Annabeth caught on and was on Percy's other side holding the son of Poseidon's hand.
"I think Piper and I should stay with you guys, there's power in numbers." She gave a weak smile to Nico.
"Thank you." That was all he could manage to choke out before they were all heading for the amphitheatre, they're final destination.
They had walked in absolutely silence, no one really knowing what to say to one another. Although there was too much silence for any of their likings, yes there were tourists gawking at this and that but it was the uncomfortable lull of no monsters.
The closer they got to the amphitheatre the more Percy squirm. They had to stop to strap him in for fear he would fall off he was moving so violently. Then Percy had taken to mumbling and still trying to thrash about until he was full blown yelling, no screaming. He was in pain.
Nico's heart hurt as he beloved writhed and screamed like something, Tartarus, was torturing him to the full extent of their knowledge. The only thing that could be done now was to hurry, looks like they weren't going to have a quiet arrival.
It had been some time and now the Palaestra was coming into view, they had probably a good ten minutes to go before they reached it. Then just behind it was the amphitheatre where they would have to fight to save both Iaso Percy.
As they got closer there was a lot of yellow caution tape courting off the area where the Palaestra and amphitheatre were. Not only that but now there were monsters everywhere. All their hearts sank as hands were ready to pull out weapons at a moment's notice.
The damned thing was like a swarm but even as they neared none of the monsters bothered to attack instead they parted for them. This was never a good sign but the wary looks the monsters gave Percy was another thing entirely. It meant that Tartarus was overpowering Percy.
The only monsters that dared even come close were hellhounds but, even they merely growled and stood at a safe distance. There were other monsters as well: manticores, griffins, dracaena, even basilisk slithering around. As much as Nico might have wanted to panic he kept his cool and walked on with a confident stride, nothing was going to keep him from saving Percy.
Finally they reached the Palaestra and already Nico could feel a strange pulling in his gut. Glancing at Annabeth who was at his right side and Piper who was at his left it was obvious that felt it to. Iaso was in the amphitheatre chained to an alter that was going straight into the pit so this pull must be the black hole like force that sucked things into the pit, into Tartarus.
Still as they entered the ancient structure no monster moved to attacked them. Instead they acted like whipped animals and skittered here and there, around them, besides them but never enough to touch them.
They're here, our delicious meal!
I cannot wait, the blond ones look very tasty.
Mm, no the big one looks even better, so mouth-watering.
I say we eat all of the delicious demi-gods.
Alarm bells went off as suddenly something moved from within the Palaestra and soon looming over them was a serpent with what seemed like a hundred heads all hungry and all ready for the kill. Beside him Annabeth gasped and gripped her drakon bone sword tightly, white knuckled. On his other side Piper held the Cornucopia and her blade, if it wasn't for the dark battle ready face then she would have looked laughable.
From behind him Nico heard the familiar sound of swords being drawn. How they were going to defeat this beast he had no idea, the only thing he did know if it was hungry then he was glad that they had the Cornucopia because right now it looked like that thing was going to come in handy.
HUNGRY!
"What is that thing?" Leo's voice went up an octave as he pointed a hammer from his tool belt towards the beast.
"I have no idea but it looks hungry." All eyes turned to Piper who was already on it.
"Hey there, you're really hungry huh?" Piper put on the extra charm as she caught the attention of all one hundred heads, eyes gleaming.
While she gathered the huge beasts attention Nico and Will were careful to have Percy hidden behind a pillar in the Palaestra with Leo, Will and Annabeth left to guard him.
Yes, yes very hungry! We will eat your first.
"Oh of course," Her voice dripped with honey. "I would be the main course but I thought you might want a starter."
Starter?
I hope it's pie, I love pie.
Piper smiled and held the Cornucopia with the opening aimed at all the looming heads. "You can have all the pie you want so open up wide."
Just as she finished all of the heads opened there gruesome mouths to reveal rows of jagged teeth that reminded her of sharks. Gross green tongues came out like a snakes as she felt the explosion of food from the Cornucopia.
"EAT UP, STUFF YOUR FACES." The command was laid on thick with charm as Piper held tightly onto the Cornucopia. Then there was that familiar glazed over look in the dragon's eyes as they began devouring every bit of food that flowed from the Cornucopia.
Still in the haze of Piper's charmspeak the dragons didn't notice another smaller blood red dragon, Frank, easily lopping off greedily eating heads to the right while a flying son of Jupiter lopped off heads to the left as he let Reyna off on the back of the mighty beast to start in the middle.
On the ground was Nico using the shadows and controlling them like Percy would water. Thick tendrils of black shadow found its way up the legs of the huge beast and restrained the heads. Piper's charmspeak was wearing off and the monster was beginning to fight back.
Deceitful little demi-gods!
You must die now!
Once you are dead we will be free to attack your precious little camps and gorge ourselves on the blood of demi-gods.
Nico drew his sword and used the shadows to lower heads to his level so he could easily cut them off. Using the shadows to his advantage he thought that soon they would be done with this beast but unbeknownst to the son of Hades they were only making things worse.
It wasn't a hydra, they all knew that, it was too big and didn't resemble the hydra's they had faced in battles past. Yet when the stubs of necks started writhing like snakes Nico had a rock settle in his stomach. Watching in horror the necks broke apart and soon there was the bubbling of flesh as a new head roared to life. Shit.
As much as Hazel didn't like it they had to do it. "Leo! We need you pronto!" As much as protecting Percy was important they needed Leo's fire more, they wouldn't do anyone any good if they were to die right there.
Hearing Hazel's urgent tone Leo left Annabeth to guard Percy and joined the fight. Yeah he was frightened but there was no way he was going to let his friends down. Leo had seen how the heads just regrew, splitting apart to have a new one join the ranks of the now hundreds of bobbing heads. He knew from stories that scorching the cut off necks would be the only way to destroy this monster.
Soon Jason was landing behind him and holding Leo around the waist and flew them up to sear the freshly cut off heads. Seeing Frank up there, in his dragon form, gave Leo a sort of confidence as he felt his hands burst aflame while Jason yelped from behind him.
"Warn a guy would!" Leo cracked a smile, oh he knew he was hot stuff.
"Where's the fun in that sparky?" Jason huffed as Leo shot a spout of flames towards to writhing necks.
Sparky, that gave Jason an idea. Letting one arm rest securely around the tinkerers waist he raised his other hand skyward where storm clouds were gathering, black and fat with rain drops. Careful to aim his strike Jason brought his arm down and out of the black clouds shot a thick bolt of lightning which struck the monster with such a force it left it dazed.
"Good one!" Nico yelled from below as the son of Hades found them more compliant to their eventual fate of having their heads chopped off.
Soon they were only dealing with a handful of heads as the monster bellowed and roared in anger.
Attack the blond one!
Expecting it to be Jason he quickly dropped Leo off next to Piper and planned to use himself as a diversion. But of course that's not what happened. Instead the mass of a few heads turned toward a wide eyed Annabeth who was still kneeling beside Percy's head.
"Yes, attack the blond one." The monster's heads blinked in unified confusion.
You want as to attack… isn't the blond one your friend?
Be careful of the deceitful one!
"Yeah you could attack her…" Piper scuffed her foot on the ground.
We could?
"Oh yeah sure but well you know what they say about blonds. Not much going on up there." The daughter of Aphrodite gestured to her head. "A monster with intellect like yours would know that it's better to attack someone who could, you know, actually put up a small struggle before you got to feast."
Nico met her kaleidoscope eyes and they reached a silent agreement.
"Where's the fun in beating your prey that easily?"
The demi-meal has a point, our superior intellect demands smart prey.
Yesss! More fun that way, more fun!
Hook, line, and sinker. "Not when there is a challenge, a son of Hades. Imagine the brownie points you'll get when you can gloat to all your monster friends that you took down a child of the big three. I'm sure everyone will be so impressed with you."
The heads all turned to the Nico who was calm due to the fact that Frank was ready for attack with a giant celestial bronze chainsaw (why Leo had one in his tool belt, no one knows but they're damn thankful). Although the weapon was not yet turned on they just had to wait, a little longer.
Forgetting about Annabeth the remaining heads let out a strange throaty snarl that came in short bursts, almost like giggling. "Go ahead, go and get him, you deserve it." Piper again did her best to use as much charm as possible. It worked.
All at once, almost too fast, the monster lurched forward toward Nico with mouths wide open. With the deafening sound of each heads roar Frank, still in dragon form, Pulled the cord on the chainsaw and it came to life with a constant buzz.
Standing his ground Nico brandished his Stygian iron sword like he was prepared to go down with a fight, which he was, and gave wild yell as he charged forward. Just at the same time Frank descended upon them and the chainsaw bit through the flesh of the monster and left nothing but wildly swinging nubs. To finish it all off Jason quickly grabbed Leo and flew him to scorch the writhing things.
Just to be sure the monster would turn to dust Piper and Hazel ran up to the heaving chest of beast and plunged their blades deep within the thick skin. Almost like it had never even existed the monster burst into dust and was gone.
Shakily everyone regrouped where Annabeth was holding Percy's hand tightly in her own. Somehow she didn't look so good herself. In fact she looked terrified. Emmidielty Reyna was at her side while Nico checked over Percy's condition.
"What is it Annabeth?" The girl shook her head and gulped as tears streaked down her face.
"Come on, the monster is dead. It won't be attacking us anytime soon." Piper tried.
"N-no, not the monster." Storm grey eyes looked down at Percy. "Him… but not him, Tartarus, he was speaking through Percy…" She shakily held up her hand, the one that was holding Percy's.
"Annabeth, where's Will?" Nico hoped that maybe the son Apollo just really had to go to the bathroom and would be back but he knew that wouldn't be the case, it never was.
"Annabeth!" Reyna didn't want to do it but the girl wasn't giving them much to go on so she cupped her hand and slapped Annabeth's cheek. That seemed to knock her out of her daze.
"Tartarus, he… " Annabeth took a breath to calm her nerves. "It was like watching a possession from a horror movie. What I can only assume was Tartarus came out like black smoke from Percy's mouth and went right into Will. I tried to keep him here but…" Her mouth turned into a frown wobbling ever so slightly at the corners. "Tartarus used Percy's body, controlled him and kept me here. He's got Will as a hostage!"
Taking a closer look at the clasped hands, it wasn't because Annabeth was holding Percy's hand it was because Percy had her hand in an iron grip and he wasn't letting go any time soon. It looked like the closer they got to Tartarus the more control he had over Percy's body and that scared Nico. Especially since a part of Tartarus had already gone into Will and the son of Apollo had disappeared. This was what Nico didn't want to happen, to endanger his friend's lives. The Fates must be laughing at him.
At closer inspection Annabeth's fingers were turning purple at the tips and she was shivering. Percy's hand was as pale as snow with black and purple veins painfully obvious and if possible his knuckles were even whiter than the rest of skin due to clutching onto Annabeth like a vice.
"We have to go, the sooner the better." Jason said as he took the foot of Percy's stretcher while Nico took the head, Annabeth still beside Percy.
Already the sun was going down and none of them had realized how much time had gotten away from them. Nico still had the miracle elixir in his jacket but he knew that he might not get the chance to use it once they stepped into the amphitheatre.
Reyna took a position besides Annabeth as the group made their way to the entrance of the amphitheatre and out of the Palestra. Already Nico could feel the pull of Tartarus as they stopped over the threshold.
Before them was Will smiling with a sword drawn and his eyes, they were black. Around him were Cyclops who blocked the view of anything behind them. A harsh wind came from behind them as if sucking them into the amphitheatre and the all too familiar terror of Tartarus engulfed both Nico and Annabeth.
"Well hey there guys! Took you long enough to get here I was starting to worry that you wouldn't make it." He tilted his head as he spoke leisurely swinging his sword here and there.
"Damn it! You let him go now!" Nico didn't want to fight another demi-god, it just wasn't right.
A golden eyebrow was raised and a sneer appeared on Will's face. "HAH! No, I don't think so. What better way to kill you guys then to take over this demi-gods body. I know how you all feel about striking down your own kind. What do you think it makes you more like heroes? No it just makes you weak and everything easier for me." Will's voice was no longer there and in its place was the voice of Tartarus.
They were wracking their brains for something to do, anything so they wouldn't have to take a life. They were brought out of their musings by a groan coming from Percy as he sat up, eyes open and glowing a strange purple. Still he held Annabeth's hand but tighter this time snapping a few bones with deafening pops.
In an instant Percy had Annabeth by the waist and at inhuman speed was standing next to Will with a wicked grin on his face while Nico grew infuriated. This couldn't be happening! Not only Will but to use Percy, this wasn't happening!
No noise left Percy's mouth as he shook Annabeth with his free hand and wrenched her sword arm back so she let go of the white blade. Leaning to her ear Percy whispered something that made Annabeth's eyes widen with fear and whimper.
Fire lit in both Reyna and Nico's eyes. There wasn't anything they could do, they needed help.
"You know I suppose I could keep these bodies for a while." Tartarus spoke. "They do have some qualities that I admire and the son of Poseidon is a catch." Nico lost all control.
He surged forward brandishing his sword only to have Jason and Frank hold him back as he screamed and threw many curses at Tartarus. The only thing he got in return was a laugh but the laugh was overshadowed by a loud piercing scream that came from behind the Cyclops.
All attention turned to Iaso and now that the Cyclops had parted they could see her. She was beaten and bruised, she looked horrible and yet she still held that godly air about her. Her eyes burned with fire as she stared at Tartarus. Golden ichor, the blood of the gods, covered her hands and ankles where the cuffs bit into her skin.
"Will!" Her voice rang out like bells as Will's body convulsed eyes widening. "You get out of him you disease!" Her command nearly shook them to their knees as thick black tendrils of smoke came out of Will's body like thousands of writhing snakes.
Once it left him the blackness started to form into the grotesque form of the human shaped pit. Annabeth took this moment of confusing to jab her elbow harshly into Percy's ribs as his eyes were wide and he was no longer holding her so tight. She lunged forward grabbed her discarded weapon and raced back to the safety of the group.
For a moment Nico was angry with her for just leaving Percy there but he knew he couldn't be, not right now. There was nothing any of them could do for him until they freed Iaso.
Will's body, with eyes still open fell to the ground open mouthed. His eyes rolled back up into his head and his eyes shut.
Damn you Iaso! Bind her mouth, keep her silent! At his order the Cyclops moved to the goddess with a thick black gag and tied it on the struggling goddess. Still she gave a defiant glare.
Nico took the time to inspect where the goddess was held captive. Over a large black pit seemingly floating there on a strange and crude alter that was made out of many bones. Thick celestial bronze chains held her in place and slowly but surely they were pulling her into the pit. All he had to do was get over there but they had to get rid of a few Cyclops's first.
"Peanut Butter!" A yell from behind them startled the demi-gods as large thudding steps came from behind them.
Annabeth's mouth fell open. "T-Tyson?"
"I came to help - no one hurts my precious brother and gets away with it!" His large brown eye was fierce and determined.
At this moment Nico could almost laugh. This was great, Tyson was bigger and stronger than they were and his affection for Percy ran deep. The big guy would do almost anything for his brother.
"Ella came to." The harpy shifted on his shoulder nervously peering at Tartarus and blushing when everyone looked at her.
What a pleasant surprise. Sarcasm. Ah well, more for me to destroy. Tartarus lifted both his hand as a sword started forming and with the other he picked up Percy which had him yelling in pain as the pit wasn't gentle about it
Nico turned his head to his friends behind him. "I don't expect any of you to do this so if you back out now I don't blame you." With that he got a swift slap to the back of the head from Hazel.
"Idiot, we are doing this for an important friend. It's our turn to save his life." Hazel stood beside him with her cavalry sword drawn.
"No need to play the knight in shining armour by yourself death breath." Jason held his weapon at the ready.
With a sharp nod and no plan they surged forward with Tyson yelling his infamous battle cry. The only thing on Nico's mind was how little time they had left.
….
A/N: I couldn't find a monster which suited my tastes so I created my own… sort of. Anyway I tried to make this one muuuuuch longer and I hope it doesn't bore you to tears. =)
I am back! Again there wasn't any freaking internet. =(
Work was hell, I hate Valentine's Day at a flower shop. On the cool side of things we sent an order for flowers to Germany.
Bye-bye
DollySociety