Yep, we're going into Lost Hero territory!
Percy wasn't anywhere, not in Camp, not in the city, not underwater, not in Atlantis, not anywhere Louisa looked. She even went down to the cave encasing Popadom's tree- Percy had never been there, but if a god was involved, a highly magical place would prove favourable.
And nothing. Absolutely nothing, nada, zilch, etc. etc. The idiot was nowhere to be found and every fruitless search just added fuel to Louisa's temper. She had gone down to reprimand her father and he had disappeared too. Louisa was this close to strangling someone or something and, to be honest, she was in half a mind to go up to Olympus and do some serious strangling up there. She had literally just found out she had a brother and now the gods took him away? What kind of sick game were they playing?
"Grover, anything from the nymphs yet?" Annabeth asked.
"I've got nymphs all over the city spreading the word, we'll find Percy. As soon as they know anything, they'll let us know. Lou, are you alright? You keep yawning."
"She's been looking more than the rest of us," Annabeth answered for her, "and she didn't get much sleep either. Lou, why don't you go and get some sleep? We can keep this up, it'll be-"
"Don't say it'll be OK." Louisa growled. "If the gods took him, how in the name of fuck are nymphs gonna find him? No offense, Grover, I get ya tryin' ta help, but we need ta go straight ta them." She pointed upwards. Grover and Annabeth exchanged hesitant looks. "Don't ya think it's weird that Mr. D 'n' Dad go AWOL the same time as Percy?"
"Maybe they're dealing with god stuff." Lou Ellen suggested.
"Or maybe they're hidin'." Louisa glared round at the other counsellors. "Am I the only one that think it's strange?"
"No." Annabeth agreed. "But we can't go charging around without all the facts or a plan, Lou. That could just make finding Percy a lot more difficult."
"I'll go on my own then."
"Lou-"
"Save it." Louisa stomped out. Annabeth sighed and massaged circles into her temples.
"Should someone go after her?" Grover worried.
"Yes. Malcolm, can you manage things here?" Annabeth looked to her brother, who nodded. "Thanks. Grover, you're with me."
"Eep." Grover squeaked. Annabeth grabbed his arm and hauled him out. They found Louisa atop the hill, waiting on Storm. She didn't look particularly happy to see them, but summoned two more pegasi to shut them up. "So, we're going to Olympus?" Louisa nodded grimly. Storm whickered questioningly, but Louisa said nothing. "And, what if we're not allowed in?"
"There's more than one way into a buildin' if ya put your mind to it."
"I'm worried now."
"Good." Louisa squeezed Storm's sides and the mare took to the skies. Porkpie and Blackjack followed.
Louisa smacked her hand down the desk, startling the poor boy behind it.
"Six hundredth floor." She demanded.
"Ma'am, there's no such th-"
"Six hundreth floor." Louisa glared. "Now." The boy couldn't have been much older than them, pale and shaking as Louisa's glower intensified. "Are you new here?" Louisa asked fiercely. He squeaked and nodded frantically. "I want to speak to ya manager."
"But-"
"Manager. Man-a-ger. Go. Go!" Louisa waved her hands and the boy scrambled away, disappearing through the door behind the desk. It was a minute before anyone came out, the boy hiding behind his manager. "Excellent- Barry, I want topside."
"No can do, miss-" Louisa cursed profusely in Ancient Greek. "Ma'am-"
"No! Give me the card!"
"Should I call the police?" The boy squeaked. Barry shook his head and moved forward, standing opposite Louisa with the desk between them. Louisa's hand shot out and grabbed him by the front of his finely pressed suit, yanking him forward until they were practically nose-to-nose.
"Listen here, sir," she snarled, "my brother has gone missin' 'n' if you don't let me up to the sixth hundredth floor in the next ten seconds, I'm gonna show you how 'n' why my dad is the god of destruction."
"Oh." The manager's voice trembled. Louisa let him go. "O-OK then." He produced a green card, glanced nervously at Annabeth and Grover.
"They're with me." Louisa gestured to them and they followed her mutely into the lift. Louisa swiped the card, smacked the button for the magical floor and then they were on their way up.
"Would you really have destroyed the Empire State Building?" Annabeth asked, an edge to her tone. Louisa cut a quick glance to her, scowled, and glared at the buttons. Annabeth and Grover exchanged cautious looks.
Ding.
Louisa was first out. Annabeth and Grover took a moment. This wasn't what they had expected. Olympus was usually bustling with light and life and music, there would be minor gods everywhere, partying and hanging out and dancing, just generally enjoying life. And now there was nothing, no-one, no light, no sound, no life. Everything looked as it should, just darker and lifeless.
"I don't like this." Grover whimpered. "Lou!" He hissed. "Where are you going?" Louisa was marching off up the path. Annabeth and Grover hurried after her and then she broke into a sprint. They raced after her, catching up as she reached the door to the throne room.
"Locked." Louisa growled.
"Olympus is closed then." Annabeth felt her heart sink. Grover rested a hand on her shoulder. "This was a waste of time, Lou, we should head back. Um, Lou?" Louisa had drawn her sword. She raised it, a fierce look of determination flushing her features. Grover pulled Annabeth back as the air crackled, charged with power. Flashes of sea green snapped and writhed around Louisa. She threw back her arm, sword absorbing the energy, buried the blade up to the hilt in the door. A split second of silence and then chaos ensued, explosions and shockwaves sending up debris, dust, smoke and a shrill ringing.
Louisa waved her hand and fought her way forward. The Olympian gods were here. Sort of.
Her sword shrank back into watch form and she spewed a series of curses under her breath. So that was the plan.
She spun on her heel and flounced out, grabbing Annabeth and Grover and quickly shepherding them out. Annabeth coughed and spluttered a question, Grover was just coughing and spluttering. "The gods?" Annabeth managed.
"M.I.A." Louisa muttered.
"Wh-?"
"M." Louisa said slowly. "I. A."
Chiron made the announcement that Olympus had been closed, the gods were unavailable and the camp was to be on alert- "I wish I could tell you things were alright, but with the gods suddenly so reclusive, I am afraid we must be on our toes." He looked to the Poseidon table and sighed. Percy was gone. Louisa had vanished five minutes after bringing Annabeth and Grover back. She took Storm with her and that was it.
Chiron looked to the Hades table. Nico wasn't there either.
The campers were aware of where he was looking and whispers broke out- the Big Three kids had gone.
Louisa and Nico had had the same thought. Nico used Storm's shadow over the clouds to catch up with his cousin.
"Lou!" He called as he dropped into a free fall. Storm dived and swooped under him. He landed behind Louisa and huffed. "There's a thing called a saddle."
"Shut up."
"Do you think he's there?"
"I don't know. I can't feel him." Nico shot a quizzical look at the back of her head. "That whole connection thing, I've started pickin' up on where he is, like if I'm headin' back ta Cabin Three, I'd know if he was there or not. I don't know how or why, but I'd know. Does that make sense?"
"Yes. Is there a particular range?" Louisa shrugged. "I presume you're under the same promise I am?" She nodded. Nico sighed and held on. He wasn't overly fond of flying, but it beat clocking out for days at a time due to excessive shadow travel. It was another few minutes before they saw their destination. "Mmph." Nico pulled a face. "I prefer the Greeks."