Nico really hated it when the air began to shimmer around them. It meant that a few seconds later, there would be super intense light, and they would open their eyes and find themselves somewhere else.
Somewhere else turned out to be Mount Olympus. Nico's eyes flew open just as the light faded to see all the gods, on their thrones, watching them curiously.
"Rise, my son." Hades called out. Nico shakily stood up. He kept a tight grip on Thalia and…oh no! Where did Percy go?
"Hello Mr. Man That Smells Like The Sea." Percy greeted Poseidon happily. "Guess what? Nicko says he loves me and Thalia and me and Thalia and me and Thalia and me and Thalia and ME!"
"Yes, Perseus." Poseidon said calmly. "Yes, he does love both of you."
"NO!" Percy screamed. "NO CALLING ME PERSEUS! YOU ARE ONLY ALLOWED TO CALL ME PERCY! With a 'c,' cuz one time this lady spelt it with an 's,' but it's spelled p-e-r-C-y not p-e-r-s-y."
Nico rushed up and grabbed Percy, covering his mouth his hand. He mouthed "sorry," to Poseidon, who merely looked very amused.
Percy wriggled out of Nico's grasp. "Hi Hippie Man! Hey, look, it's Miss Shiny White Lady! There's Miss Owl Lady! And –"
He was cut off when Zeus snapped his fingers. In a small flash of light, both Percy and Thalia disappeared.
Nico gaped widely. "Um…"
"Alright, let's get this over with. Nico Di Angelo, son of Hades, you have sufficiently proved your love for your cousins, and your worth to deserve them. Congratulations. Now, Hades will return you to your cabin at Camp Half-Blood and we will continue our usual meeting." Zeus said in a disinterested voice.
"Hey! I brought him here. You said you were gonna transport him back to Camp!" Hades whined.
"No way! I brought him back. I distinctly remember using my powers to bring the three here." Zeus argued.
"That's ridiculous. You promised you were going to do it!" Hades insisted.
"That's why you always swear on the Styx." Zeus thundered smugly.
Poseidon rolled his eyes and shot Nico a can-you-believe-my-brothers-look?
"…at least I don't smell as bad as Poseidon!"
"WHAT?"
Athena sighed and snapped her fingers to take Nico back to his cabin. Was she honestly the only level-headed one on Mount Olympus?