It was the first day of June and people were already lazing around. Nico, Drew and Lacy had been getting a lot of people wanting to be their prom date.
"Already have one." Was Drew's excuse.
"I'm sorry but I'm already going with someone." Lacy would say.
"I'm gay." Nico would blurt out if it was a girl. If it was a boy, he'd mention the fact that he was going with someone already.
The days passed. Nico filled them with the normal, training everyday with and without Persephone and working on things whether they were for school, clubs or anything else. He definitely didn't miss out on sleeping and eating along with the necessary stuff. Tomorrow was the day they would start heading to Italy for the national competition for music. He started preparing a piece. He worked for a really long time trying to find the right piece when he realized he was doing it all wrong. Instead of forcing the music to come to him, he had to let it come to him gently. He thought of what he wanted. When he found out what he wanted, he let it wash over him as he wrote it down on paper. He tried playing it on his violin. He kept practicing it as an hour passed. He put it down sometime later and practiced with his powers and weaponry. Anubis visited after dinner.
"Hey champ."
"Hi 'nubis."
"How's it going?"
"Fine."
"I wanna join you, but I don't have a date."
"Okay."
"So I'm just gonna stalk you."
"Oka- wait what?!"
"Or I'll get a date. We'll see. Go to sleep champ."
Nico just stared as he yanked the covers to his chin. Anubis smirked as Nico closed his eyes.
After he woke up the next day and went to the bathroom, he found out he had to use the Mist to cover his eyes - again. He waved goodbye to Anubis, Drew and Lacy and headed to school and got onto a charter bus. Nico was fidgety in the bus. After an hour of torture, they finally arrived at the airport only to realize they would have to wait a few hours to get onto the plane. Nico groaned and looked at the sky. He could use the time to ask Zeus for permission to get onto the plane. He vanished, leaving a Mist version of himself behind and appeared in Mount Olympus. He bowed in front of the biggest throne.
"Lord Zeus."
"What do you want child?"
"I wish to have permission to cross the ocean in a plane and return home using the the air."
Zeus glared at him. But the child was polite.
"Very well. However, you must burn me something."
"Yes My Lord."
Nico went back and got out a small brazier. He dropped food in it.
"For Zeus."
Elijah looked at him.
"Do I have to do that?"
"No. I only have to do it because I can't travel in the air without Zeus blasting me."
"Oh."
They went inside the plane. Nico turned on the TV. After a while, he turned it off, put in earphones and went to sleep. He woke up when they landed and ate a breath mint. He got off as they were greeted. Nico looked around the place.
"We'll be doing a bit of sightseeing. Such as the Di Angelo mansion. Right now, tourists can enter it, all the money goes to the Di Angelo vaults, but when the di Angelo comes, it will be private again.
"Say Nico..."
"Yeah." He turned to Elijah, his earbuds still in. He was listening to MCR.
"You have the di Angelo last name."
"And?"
"And, you're a music star. Are you...?"
Nico smirked.
"I'm the one who survived."
Elijah stared.
"That was a century ago."
"I was born in 1928."
"Wow. How come no one else knows?"
"I warped their minds using the Mist. They know my last name, they just don't think it has a connection to me."
"Oh."
Nico hummed as they walked into a hotel. They person talked to them in Italian.
"We speak English."
He started talking to them in English. They were in groups of four. Nico entered the room with his group.
"Alright, the nationals. Let's win this!"
They cheered.
"Before practice, let's get food."
Nico talked to the teacher and left with his group.
"Let's get gelato." Nico said.
"Do you have cash?" Mark asked.
"True... I know!" Nico brightened.
They entered the bank. He looked at the person.
"Hello!"
"American." He muttered. "What do you want sir?"
"I want to access my bank vault."
"Card?"
Nico gave him a debit card. The other three stared at him.
(I'm 13, so if this is wrong, sorry.)
"You have a bank vault?!"
"Not so loud. And yes, I do."
"How much cash would you like taken out?"
"100 euros."
The person stared at him.
"You're American, no?"
"Eh."
"Signore, do you need to exchange?"
"I don't think so."
The person accessed the bank vault and stared. He gave the card and 100 euros.
"Ciao." Nico waved as they left. (If I say anything wrong in Italian, I'm sorry.)
He hummed as they entered a gelato store. Nico looked at the choices.
"What do you guys want?"
"Vanilla."
"Chocolate."
"I'll try the stracciatella."
"Okay." He looked at the person at the cash register.
"Mi scusi signore."
The person looked.
"Si?"
"Can we have the vanilla, chocolate, stracciatella and salted caramel." ( I give up. Underlined words are in Italian. I don't want to ruin the language.)
"Si. That will be 10 euros."
"Okay."
Nico gave the money and left with the gelato. They went back to the hotel.
"Alright, now we will visit a music festival, then the Di Angelo mansion."
Elijah looked at Nico. He stood next to him as they went to the festival. There were Italians singing and playing instruments. It was beautiful and sounded amazing. Nico hummed along to some of the songs. The teacher looked at them.
"Anyone know any of these songs?"
Nico raised his hand, along with a few others who had decided to listen to Italian music.
"Lovely. They walked off.
"Alright, now we're going to the Di Angelo mansion."
They went to the ticket booth, got tickets and entered. Nico looked around and sighed. He remembered the days were he played with either servants, Bianca or his mother. He noticed the house elves still there, and there were even more. (Hint hint)
(I just got a feeling of déjà vu. I think I either saw the paragraph above with the hint hint in a dream or somewhere else.)
To others, the house elves would look like regular servants. When they saw Nico, they dropped what they were holding.
"He's returned."
Nico waved.
"I'm not back, I'm just here for visiting. I'll be back soon."
They smiled.
"Very well. Would you like to eat something?"
"Not now."
He waved and walked off with the others. His eyes glazed over as he recalled every room in the mansion.
"Alright, spend some free time here. Don't break anything and be back here in an hour."
Nico raced down the hallways, engulfed in a memory.
Flashback
"You can't catch me Bia!"
"Watch me Nico, incarcerous!"
Nico was tied up as she put her magic stick away.
"That's cheating."
"No it isn't. Tag."
"I'm going to my room."
"You have lessons in an hour."
"And?"
"Be on time."
Flashback End
Nico entered his room. Everything was like how he remembered it. They even had all his old toys and books there. One thing he definitely didn't remember was the sign that said 'Don't Take or You'll be Kicked Out.' He left and went to Bianca's room. He sighed as he took in the appearance. Like Nico's room, it was the same except for the sign. However, the curtains were tightly drawn and were black. Nico sat down on the bed.
"When you would feel sad, you always curled up on your bed. I tried to comfort you to the best of my ability. Like the time the chamber opened and you was sad because one of your friends died. I was also sad because I like that friend. I met her when I went to visit you at your school. You were in different houses, but she was nice. I miss you Bia."
Elijah entered.
"Hey Nico. Whose room is this?"
"Bianca's."
"Oh."
Nico waved his hand and to the security camera's and Elijah, it seemed like Nico was sitting on the bed. But Nico, went to a panel of the wall.
"She left it here, thinking she would come back."
He opened it and pulled out a 12" stick. Made of Aspen. However, on the inside was dragon heartstrings. Nico remembered when he had gone to her school for a while. He had made a friend there. Too bad his friend was now suffering in the Fields of Punishment for trying to become immortal. Whatever. His "stick" was 11 3/4", made out of elder and thestral hair. There was something similar to it, but not exactly. He put it in a shadow locker and made the Mist dissipate. He bid farewell to Elijah as he went to the master bedroom. He got his mother's stick and got keys to bank vaults. He put those in a shadow locker and went to the entrance hall when the hour passed.
The teacher took attendance and when she made sure all the students were there, they went back to the hotel. Nico entered the room and got ready for bed. He laid down and looked at the ceiling. He wondered how the dreams would be like. He was out of America, but he was out of America. Tartarus might have less power here, but so do the gods. And it wasn't certain since Tartarus is a primordial. Nico just decided to sleep. As soon as he fell into the realm of sleep, memories attacked. He woke up, noticing all the boys staring at him.
"Bad dream. Go back to sleep."
They nodded and went back to sleep. Nico just walked off. He went to the balcony and just looked out at the night sky. He looked at the stars and looked at Zoe's constellation and softly sang an Italian lullaby his mother used to sing to them. As the darkness was replaced with the bright colors of dawn, Nico went back into the room.
It was finally time for the music competition. They entered and noticed cameras broadcasting it live. They went onto the stage and went into the same formation. Some people were replaced since the first time, but the last four always stayed consistent. The other team also consisted of high school students. But they were from Japan. The last girl finished playing a sorrowful piece as Nico went. He remembered the piece he made. He started playing it, then in the middle, he changed it. When he did that, it made the piece even more heartbreaking. When he reached the end, happiness washed over everyone. Nico finished and bowed as people applauded. They went to a restaurant. The results would be revealed in two hours. They rested for a while then went back.
"And the winner is... BAGS!"
They cheered and got multiple trophies. They got one for the school and individual ones. Nico's vanished and appeared in Cabin 13. When they reached the hotel, he went to the bathroom and IM'd Will.
"Hey Neeks. You did amazing!"
"Wait, you saw it?"
"Yup. It was on TV. The whole camp saw it. Congrats on winning first place."
"Thanks."
They rested in the hotel that night, and the next day, they headed back to America. They reached the airport and looked around for their family. Nico saw all the death gods there as well as Percy, Annabeth, Reyna, Hazel, Thalia and Will.
"BIG BRO! Youdidamazing!" Hazel squealed.
"Thanks sis."
"Champ! Congrats! How have you been sleeping?" Anubis hugged him.
"Fine."
Will came over and gave him a kiss on his forehead.
"How was your trip?"
"It was fine."
"OMG, CUZ! YOU DID SO GOOD! I'M SO PROUD OF YOU!" Percy and Jason yelled.
Thalia and Reyna rolled their eyes and looked at each other. They looked at Nico.
"Congrats on winning."
Nico smiled. The other death gods just looked at each other and then back at Nico. They waved and motioned for Nico to come with them. Nico looked at his friends.
"Got to go, my dad's calling me."
They left and Nico went to the death gods.
"Congratulations."
"Thanks."
"After your school year is over, your showing yourself as a di Angelo."
Nico looked at his dad.
"Is everything ready?"
"Yes."
"And if I'm sent on quests or errands?"
"I'll take care of it."
"Alright."
The days passed until it was June 10. Around 6, Will, Liam and Mike got ready for prom. Will wore a gold dress with a black tie, Liam wore a red tuxedo while Mike wore an orange dress suit. At night, Will, along with Liam and Mike, went over to the mansion. The maid opened the door.
"Are you here for them?"
"Yup."
"Your dates are here!" The maid looked up.
"Coming!"
Drew, Lacy and Nico appeared at the top of the staircase. Drew was wearing a tight pink dress that had a slit that ran up to her knee. Lacy had a short orange dress with crystals creating a design at the top while Nico was wearing a black and red three piece suit. They came down the staircase.
"Hey Solace."
"Hi Neeks."
The other four went with them. Drew sighed.
"Do we have a car big enough?"
Nico smirked.
"More than big enough."
He snapped and a limousine came out of the ground. There was a driver in the front.
The others stared.
"What? My dad's rich. It was also a present I got when I won in the nationals for music." Nico stated.
"What's he gonna give you next? A company?" Mike asked.
"Technically, the company isn't from him, it's from my mom."
They gaped.
"You're kidding." Liam said.
"Nope. You'll see in a few days."
"Wow. When?" Will looked at his boyfriend.
"On TV. I'll be back in Italy."
"Okay. Let's just go." Liam just said.
They entered the limo. Nico looked at Jules-Albert.
"BAGS."
As the zombie drove there, Nico got a wine glass filled with dark red liquid from the tray sitting in front of them. He leaned back in his seat.
"So, what can you two do?"
"I'm a son of Ares so I'm good with weapons."
"Son of Hephaestus so I can build well."
"Got it." He took a sip from the wine glass.
Will frowned.
"That's very unhealthy death boy."
"He's suicidal." Liam pointed out.
"Not suicidal." Nico said.
"He's just crazy." Lacy added.
"Hey!"
"It's true." Drew agreed, getting a glass of wine.
Will sighed.
"Really?" He looked at the wine glasses.
"Yes!" They both said.
"You should try it." Nico said, taking a long sip.
Will rolled his eyes. Then, he kissed Nico.
"Hm, not that bad. But still, it's unhealthy."
Nico was so shocked, he nearly dropped his glass. Liam and Mike snickered. The Ghost King quickly regained his composure. He sat up straight and looked like the king he was.
"We're here." Nico announced.
A zombie opened the door for them as they got out of the limo as people stared. Carter nudged Sadie.
"They have a mansion that they bought, what did you expect?" His sister asked.
"Not that."
Nico gave his wine glass to the zombie as Drew did the same. The zombie shut the door and went inside the limo. The car drove off as the six went towards the building. They stepped into the bustling gym. Decorations were everywhere and there was a long table with punch and different types of food such as cakes and pastries.
"May I have this dance?" Will held out his arm for Nico.
"Yes you may." Nico replied as they stepped onto the dance floor.
Nico smirked as he steered Will into the dance.
"Have you never danced before?"
"And you have?"
"I was born in Italy in the late 20's. I can cook, dance, play the piano and the violin, sing, write poems, texts and musical notes, paint, draw, sculpt, design, solve riddles and just between you and me, I probably know more about myths, geology, architecture and history than Annabeth ever will."
Will stared as he said all those things.
"The piano and violin?"
"Yup."
"Wow. I got lucky."
"I'm the lucky one Solace."
"No. You're amazing. I don't get why anyone would reject you. You're kind, sweet, beautiful..."
He was cut off by Nico's lips.
"Stop talking Solace."
Will smiled against Nico's lips. The rest of the night went perfectly. When it was time to leave, Nico called the limo and they went back to the mansion.
"It's nighttime. How about you three boys stay with us for the night?" Drew said.
"Sure." Will agreed. Then he smirked.
"I'm sleeping with Nico."
Nico just brought out his phone.
"Anubis, you don't have to visit today."
"Yes I do! I have to monitor you two."
"Anubis!" Nico turned bright red and hid his face in his hands as he hung up. Will wasn't much better.
"What do you mean visit today?" Will looked at Nico curiously.
"Well, every night, Anubis comes to help me out with sleeping since I wake up in the middle of the night and afterwards, I can't fall asleep alone. Like I wake up at 3, and can't go back to sleep unless someone's there."
"Oh."
Nico and Will got ready to go to sleep. As Nico lied down on the bed, the black door appeared and Anubis came out from it. Will entered the room a few minutes later and went onto the bed next to Nico.
"Good night."
"Good night angel."
They fell asleep and that night, Nico had no dreams. The next day was Saturday, so Nico slept in. When he finally did decide to get up, he realized Will wasn't there. He just shrugged it off and went to the bathroom. After a while, he went downstairs and noticed Anubis there lecturing Will. When they saw Nico, they both waved. Will looked like he was pleading with his eyes. Nico stifled a laugh.
"Anubis, is there breakfast?"
"Yeah."
He gave him chocolate chip pancakes.
"You know, you act differently around others." Nico stabbed a fork into a pancake as he nibbled on it.
"Well to some, I might seem dark, mysterious, brooding. To others, like you, I seem energetic and caring."
"Why?"
"Dunno. I just like to let loose with people I can trust."
"That's nice. Well, since I trust you and you trust me, I'll be honest. I can not finish all of this."
"Don't worry about it. Eat one of them, and your boyfriend could eat the others."
"Okay."
Nico finished one of them, then gave Will the rest. Drew and Lacy came down with Mike and Liam a few minutes later.
"I wanna stay for a while." Liam said.
"Same." Will and Mike said.
Anubis watched Will.
"You hurt Nico, you're dead. Got it?"
"I'm pretty sure his dad got that covered."
"He does I suppose. I can't do as much as him, but I can still do a lot. You'd be surprised."
"Got it." Will looked nervous. Liam and Mike shot him sympathetic looks.
"Good."
Days passed and it was the last day of school. Sadie, Carter, Zia and Walt came over to the demigods.
"Wanna keep in touch?" They looked at Lacy.
"Sure!"
"Where do you go for summer?"
"A summer camp. I don't think you can go though."
"Where is it?"
"Umm..." She looked at Nico.
"It's in Nevada." He lied.
"Nico, they mean exactly where. I know it's in Nevada."
"Oh, it's in Sparks, Nevada."
"The address?"
"I don't know! Drew's dad drives us there."
She looked at the Egyptians.
"Sorry."
"Nico goes there with you?"
"Yeah..."
"Okay. Bye!" Sadie left.
Lacy exhaled.
"That was really tense."
"I could swear, Percy and Annabeth make everything so hard." Nico grumbled. "At this point, I've lied more than a Hermes kid."
"That's not good."
"It really isn't. They lie so much that if I lie more than them, that would mean a lot of lying. Like hundreds or thousands of them."
The Egyptians went back to their mansion after school was over. They got a phone call.
"Hey!" Annabeth's voice could be heard.
"Annie!"
"So, wanna meet up later?"
"Sure! Where and when?"
"In an hour at *insert random coffee shop in Brooklyn.*"
"Okay. Can my friends join?"
"Only if ours can."
"Sure."
She closed it.
"Let's get ready."
-Time skip-
They entered the coffee shop. Five minutes later, Percy and Annabeth came in with a dark boy.
"Nico?!"
"Them?" He looked at the couple.
"Yeah, why not."
"Ugh."
"Hey, there our friends."
"Whatever."
"I'm throwing you off."
He stuck his tongue out. Then, he pulled out earbuds and an iPod.
"What is he listening to?"
"Fall Out Boy." Nico answered.
"How do you know him?"
"We're cousins." Percy answered.
"Oh."
"Mom told me to take him since he was at our apartment."
"Okay."
Nico rolled his eyes.
"Wait, it's the last day of school."
"Yeah." Percy answered.
"Great. I'm heading to Italy in a few hours."
"What? Why?!" Annabeth asked.
"Personal business."
"Okay?"
"Well, got to go."
"Bye Nico."
"Bye Neeks."
"DON'T CALL ME THAT!" He threw something at Percy's head and left.
"Well, he's very..."
"Violent, emo, goth?"
"I was gonna say weird, but yeah, that works too."
The day passed.
-Time Skip-
Nico had gone back to Italy and claimed what was his. When he returned, there was a certain blond waiting for him.
"Will you go on a date with me?" (Get it?) The medic asked.
"When?"
"June 25th."
"Sure."
"I was planning on June 21st."
"I'm kinda busy that day."
"June 25th it is. What are you doing on the summer solstice?"
"Death-y things. Don't know what exactly."
"Don't over exert yourself and if you go on an errand, make sure to come by the 25th or IM me if it will take longer, preferably before the 25th."
"Got it."
"Good."
The days passed and it was finally the 21st of June. Nico got ready. He wore a long black cloak. He put the hood up and made sure his scythe was easily accessible. When it was 6:04, he vanished. Meanwhile, Anubis entered the room with Sadie and Carter who sat down in the empty chairs next to Osiris. All the death gods were there, but there was an empty chair to Anubis's right and Hades's left.
Suddenly, all the shadows raced towards the middle of the room. Everyone stared as Anubis sighed. Greeks were so dramatic. Kneeling in the middle of the darkness was a reaper, black cloak pooled around him. His powerful aura seemed to bend the ground underneath him. The shadows were swirling around him as he stood up and held his hand out. A scythe appeared, beautiful but deadly. The stick portion was black and purple with simple yet beautiful designs. The blade was made of enchanted silver. Nico moved the weapon in front of him and his body was tilted. The blade showcased his hooded face. The scythe vanished as he looked at the two guests. He bowed.
"Welcome. A pleasure to meet you. I'm the son of Hades." He straightened up as the other gods introduced themselves.
A table appeared where he was standing earlier as he sat down in his seat elegantly and looked at them as his hood fell revealing pale skin, messy black hair and sharp, calculating black eyes. They had a glint of insanity that appeared from time to time.
"Nico?!" They yelled.
He waved.
"Wait, this isn't Nevada." Carter realized.
Anubis stared.
"Why would he be in Nevada?"
"He said there was a summer camp he attended there."
"That was a lie. We knew what Percy and Annabeth told you. Percy is a seaweed brain, and I should know."
"We?"
"Drew, Lacy are part of it."
"What?!"
"They are children of Aphrodite. However, be glad you didn't piss off Drew too much."
"Why?"
"She has charmspeak."
"Now I'm scared of her. Wait, if you're the only living son of Hades, that means you're the one who went to Hell alone and was imprisoned."
"Mhm."
"How did you know what Percy told us?"
"Your reactions. Knowing you guys from Anubis helped."
"Anubis?!" The siblings stared at him.
"He already knew about the Egyptians."
"That I did." He said, taking a sip from a wine glass.
Hecate smirked.
"I'm sure you're wondering why you two are here. You don't have death affinity, so why bring you here? Why not Walt? Well, it has to do with your status. You're the pharaoh, you're his sister and the host of Isis. If we go to war with the Egyptians, we hope you don't join in."
"But why would we go to war?"
"The Greeks, Romans and Egyptians don't get along well with each other. Eons of bad history. I should know." Nico answered, twirling his glass.
Sadie looked at him.
"What do you mean?"
"I was the spy on all sides. I knew of the Romans and I watched them as the Ambassador of Pluto. I was the son of a Greek God." Or so I believed.
"Oh."
"But the question wasn't why you two were here, it's why are we having this meeting." Nico said.
"Well, remember when I told you I would introduce to my heir and Pluto's?" Hades asked.
"Yes..." Nico said.
"Heir?" Sadie asked.
"The Underworld is huge. If he is to fade, someone must take his place. That someone is the heir." Anubis clarified.
"We know that but your telling me he doesn't have one?" Sadie was shocked.
"Nope. The sea has one, but the Underworld doesn't have one yet." Nico said, looking at Hades.
"Yeah."
"Who is it? There's no one extra in this meeting. So who could it be?"
"Well, it's someone who's always been there."
"So Thanatos?"
"He's either Greek or Roman and it's not Thanatos."
Anubis's eyes widened.
"Knew it!" He said.
"Who?" Nico asked.
"Neeks, use your brain."
"But... the there's no other male immortals."
"He's not immortal."
"No..."
Hades looked at him.
"You're the only one with death powers alive."
"Why didn't you choose Hitler?"
"Hitler?!" Sadie screamed.
"He was one of my brothers. But why?"
"Well, he, along with the rest, weren't powerful enough. And he went insane."
"Well yeah, but..."
"Over the years, you've proven yourself. Doing crazy, suicidal things but coming out alive and sane, that's quite a feat. Not even some of the gods would do that."
"However, you should probably stop keeping secrets from all of us and your father." Hecate added.
"Whatever do you mean?" Nico looked at her.
"The Mist is part of my domain. Do you really thing I wouldn't be able to notice?"
Hades looked at him.
"Mist? For what?"
Nico cursed. He waved his hands and the Mist dispersed. There was a blindfold left behind.
"Why do you need a blindfold?" Sadie asked.
Nico took it off. His eyes were blood red, drenched in insanity.
"Don't tell me..." Hades started.
"Yeah. It came up earlier than expected."
"That's not good."
"It's been almost a year."
"And you're still sane?"
"Looks like it."
"What do you mean, still sane?" Sadie asked.
"Well, Hades children have gotten the insane gene. It comes up in mainly boys around the age of 16. However, because of what Nico did, his came up earlier. It takes a lot of willpower to stall it, especially for as long as he has managed." Thanatos said.
Nico smirked.
"I definitely have a lot of willpower. I get it all from Will."
"Really Nico?" Anubis slapped his forehead.
"What? It's true."
"Apollo's kid?" Hades asked.
"Yeah."
"Opposites attract." Hel said. She seemed amused.
"Yes yes. So I'm the heir?" Nico stared.
"Well, you're the Ghost King and you know everything about the Underworld since you spend a lot of time there. I found a suitable candidate. It would be foolish to not pick you."
Nico's mouth fell open. Kind words from the Lord of the Dead. He quickly closed it and looked indifferent.
"But what about Pluto?"
"Well, Hazel would have been a suitable candidate, if she was more dark and actually came to the Underworld. She was dead so she saw some parts, but that's it. So, if the worst comes to worst, you have to take over the Roman side as well." Pluto said.
"Got it."
"Well then, just note that you will probably have a lot of classes soon about this stuff, but since you seem to have pretty much mastered it all, it might be for a month."
"Lovely."
(All right, if I mentioned the next part earlier, I don't remember. I don't recall writing it however, so forget what happened before and focus on now.)
"So, on the last day of June, the gods will host a party for all the heroes who fought in the Giant War. It's at 5." Hades said.
"And why are you telling me this?"
"Because you're going whether you like it or not."
"So I get no say in this?"
"You were still a hero. They can't ignore you this time."
"I suppose."
-Time Skip-
It was finally June 25. Nico put on a black shirt with a skeleton Hello Kitty (which Thalia gave) and black pants. He brought out his phone where Will had texted him the address. He went to Central Park, close to the Underworld entrance. He saw a picnic blanket laid out under the tree with Will sitting there. He slid down next to him.
"Hey Solace."
"Neeks!"
Will kissed Nico.
"You look amazing."
Nico's cheeks warmed up.
"You do too."
Will took out the food and got a bunch of roses. He did something with them as Nico nibbled on an apple. When, he looked satisfied, he put the end result on Nico's head. It turned out to be a flower crown.
"You look adorable!"
Nico's face turned as red as the tomato he was holding.
"I'm the Ghost King, the prince of the shadows and darkness. The son of Hades. I am not adorable."
"So cute!" Will squealed.
Their date went perfectly. When they said their goodbyes at Nico's cabin, their faces were glowing. Nico just changed, put the flower crown on the table and went to bed. The next four days were filled with training and classes.
"Stand up straighter!"
"Yes you're reading all of those!"
"Concentrate!"
By the end of each day, Nico was exhausted.
- The rest might seem a bit like Fort Olympus because I got ideas from that amazing book. It's on .
June 30th rolled around and Percy decided to put on casual clothes. As he went out, he noticed the Romans were already there. All of the demigods got in the vans. Percy sat down next to Annabeth. Jason sat down next to the son of Poseidon a minute later. They drove to the Empire State Building.
"600th floor."
"There is no-"
All the demigods glared at him and started pulling out their weapons. The doorman gulped and gave Percy the keycard.
"You know what to do."
They went up to the 600th floor. The doors to the throne room opened. It looked different. There was a huge LED TV on one of the walls, showing all of the gods who were sitting on their thrones. The demigods entered the throne room and kneeled.
"Rise heroes. You have defeated the Giants and will go down as some of the greatest demigods to ever grace the earth. The ones who have helped the gods during our time of chaos shall be receiving gifts." Zeus said, from his huge throne.
The TV focused on nine demigods. Reyna Ramirez-Arellano, Perseus Jackson, Annabeth Chase, Piper McLean, Jason Grace, Hazel Levesque, Frank Zhang, Leo Valdez and Nico di Angelo.
"You nine will be written down as the greatest demigods of all time. All of you have fought in both the Second Titan War, the Second Giant War. You have defeated many monsters, Titans, Giants, some gods and even the Earth Mother. For this, the Council has decided to gift you all individually."
"Jason Grace, son of King Jupiter, champion of Queen Hera." Dionysus called.
Jason bowed to Zeus and kneeled in front of Dionysus.
"The Council offers you godhood. If you choose to accept, you will become a protector of the demigods."
Jason looked at all the demigods. He focused on Piper, then turned back to the gods and goddesses.
"I cannot accept the offer. Instead, I would like for the Roman and Greek camps to be combined. What has happened in the past has shown that if we continue to be separated, we may fight again. This generation is fine with the other camp, but in time, we may grow apart and go back to fighting."
The gods looked at each other.
"Very well. It would help if Romans had the Greek style of fighting and the Greeks had discipline." Athena decided.
"All in favor?" Zeus asked.
All the gods and goddesses on the council raised their hands.
"The motion passes. The camp shall be called, Camp Olympus." Zeus decided.
"Piper McLean, daughter of Aphrodite." Hephaestus called.
"You are offered the gift of immortality. If you choose to accept, you will become your mother's lieutenant."
"Thank you, but I don't want immortality. I want Camp Olympus to have a council of demigods like the gods have the 12 Olympians."
"All in favor?"
Once again, all the gods and goddesses part of the 12 Olympians raised their hands.
"This motion passes."
"Leo Valdez, son of Hephaestus." Poseidon called.
"You are offered the same gift your friends were offered. You are free to refuse and choose something else instead."
"Thank you, however, I wish to use my gift later." He looked at Calypso.
Annabeth and Frank also chose to use their gifts later.
"Hazel Levesque, daughter of Pluto." Hermes said.
"For all you have done in the past year, the 12 Olympians offer you the gift of godhood."
"I am honored. However, I would like for the Olympians to never again turn their backs on their children. We need you in our greatest times of need." She pleaded.
"So be it." Hermes said.
"Reyna Ramirez-Arellano, daughter of Bellona." Aphrodite's voice resonated through the throne room.
"For your excellent leadership skills and bravery, we offer you the same gift offered to the rest of your brethren."
"Thank you, however, my first duty is to Rome and it's people. I wish to be left alone by your realm."
"Very well. My realm had caused you a lot of grief. But now, it no longer can sway you."
"Perseus Jackson, son of Poseidon." The Queen of Heavens called out.
"You are offered the same gift offered to you at the end of the Titan War. You rejected it then, will you reject it now?"
Percy looked at Annabeth and smiled.
"I will reject it once again, Queen Hera. Instead, I wish for your siblings to be reunited. I wish for Hades and Hestia to be part of the Olympian Council."
Hera waved her hand. The room expanded and the thrones Hades and Hestia were sitting on became permanent.
"My family is back together. Thank you Perseus."
"Nico di Angelo, son of Hades, Champion of Hestia, Heir to the Sacred Hearth, Prince of the Underworld, King of Ghosts, Master of Shadows, Protector of Camp Jupiter, Patron of Camp Half-Blood." Athena announced.
All the demigods watched, dumbstruck as Athena went through all his titles. Nico bowed to Zeus and knelt before Athena, his black robes pooling around him. Percy shivered as he noticed the ground getting darker around him. When Jason said Nico was powerful, Percy laughed it off, but seeing the ground bend under him, he started to reevaluate what he had said.
"In the last Titan War, you used your wit beyond measure, (wit beyond measure is a man's greatest treasure) and gave Perseus the key to defeating Luke Castellan. You even got your father to help us. After Perseus and my daughter ascended Olympus, you took over leadership and became a brilliant tactician and used battle strategies that even impressed me. However, you were not granted a gift despite being a major player in the war. We apologize for that."
Percy and Annabeth looked at each other, guilty for forgetting about Nico.
"Afterwards, you tried keeping the Roman and Greek camps away from each other, trying to protect your family from bloodshed. That's why you were chosen by Hestia. You would do anything for your family. You even jumped into Tartarus for them. You got captured, but still tried to help, despite being weak. You nearly killed yourself trying to save us. You conquered the god of Love. You helped bring the two camps together and healed the rift between the Greeks and the Romans." At this, all the gods except Athena turned into their Roman forms.
"You reminded them that Bellona is not the sole goddess of war, that Minerva is not only the goddess of craftsmanship. You reminded them who I really am. While I was impressed by your battle strategies, the amount of wisdom you showed impressed me more." With that, Athena turned into Minerva.
The goddess was dressed in the purple robes of a roman emperor, gold armor on top and a tawny owl on her shoulder. The Aegis was opened on her wrist, a 20 foot golden spear in her hand and a 7 foot long sword sheathed at her waist. Her eyes reflected the deadly calculation of a strategist who had never lost a battle.
Percy had once said Athena would make the worst enemy, but now he realized Minerva would make an even more dangerous enemy.
All of the Romans bowed to the goddess as she stood up, next to the kneeling Nico, in all her deadly beauty.
"You reminded them who I really was. They feared me as Athena because I had protected Greece from their attacks for a thousand years. But then, you showed them my truest Roman form. I am Minerva, Destroyer of enemies, Minerva, the Supreme Virgin, Minerva the Third Queen."
She looked at all the Romans.
"Romans, rise before your Third Queen of Eternal Rome."
As all the Romans and Nico di Angelo rose up, all the gods and goddesses turned back to their Greek form.
"Now, Nico di Angelo, I shall offer you my gift. I offer you my patronage. Your wit, wisdom and strategic mind have impressed me. If you accept, you will have all the honors of my own children and you will become the leader you were always meant to be."
Nico looked at her.
"I accept My Lady."
Athena smiled. The other campers were just silent and they were gaping. They started whispering to each other.
"Nico di Angelo, my son." Hades said, standing up.
The whole room went silent. Nico looked at Hades. He went over to him and kneeled in front of his throne.
"Throughout the years, you have shown your bravery. You have done things even gods wouldn't dare to do. Some of the things nearly took your life. You even have managed to suppress the erupting gene for a year."
"Erupted?" Zeus asked.
"Unfortunately, Tartarus was not very good for his already fragile sanity, so it bloomed before he turned 16."
Zeus frowned.
"Then he should be executed."
"If he managed to hide it from us for a year, we're fine."
"If it gets any further..."
"He will be executed." Hades finished.
The other campers looked at Nico, confused. The ones closest to him were confused and worried.
"Back to before, you have done more than your siblings could have done. And if something is to happen to me, what will happen? I need a heir to take my place. Persephone?"
"He managed to get along with me of all people. Anyone who can do that deserves respect. I'm his stepmother. But somehow, I managed to take a liking to him." The goddess said.
Everyone looked at Nico who fidgeted.
"Nico di Angelo, will you take on the title of Heir to the Underworld?"
"Yes."
There were gasps.
"Do you swear off of all romantic love?"
"Uhh..."
"I'm joking. I know you love the Apollo kid. If he breaks your heart and you want to swear off of it later, talk to Aphrodite."
"Okay..."
"Do you swear to protect the Underworld with your life?"
"Yes."
"On the Styx?"
"If the need arises, I may have to protect the world when the Underworld needs help. But I swear on the Styx to protect the Underworld with my life if the need arises and I am able to do so."
"That'll have to do. Rise Nico di Angelo, son of Hades and Pluto, Champion of Hestia, Heir to the Sacred Hearth, Heir to the Underworld, the Silent Reaper, Ghost King, Master of Shadows, Protector of Camp Jupiter, Patron of Camp Half-Blood."
He blasted a black and purple ball in Nico's chest. The boy stumbled but then stood up straight and regal. His training was for something. His aura became much stronger. His features became more angelic and delicate. A crown appeared on his head. He looked at Hades.
"You need to brush up on your wrapping skills."
He fell down as agony coursed through his body. The crown clattered onto the floor next to him. There were two slits in the cloak as black, glossy wings emerged from his body.
"Well, looks like Thanatos has a new partner."
"Didn't I have to do his work for a while?"
"That's probably the reason you got wings. Although, it could also be because of your last name. Maybe Maria had angel blood and it got passed down to you to, but it was so diluted that you didn't have a form but when I blessed you the blood became stronger and you got that form. As for why your wings are black, I have no clue."
Nico stared.
"Are you kidding me?"
"Nope. I was attracted to her for a reason. Opposites attract you know. You should know that really well." He looked at Will who was staring at Nico.
"Anyway, she was part angel, I'm the devil of the mythological world. Oh, that's probably why your wings are black."
Nico stood up and put his crown back on.
"And, I forgot to mention, you're now immortal."
"What?!"
"I think you might even become a god."
"Could you have mentioned this before?"
"I needed you to accept, so no."
"And you wonder why you're the devil of the mythological world."
"Watch it. I may be your dad, but I'm still the Lord of the Underworld."
"What about my friends?"
"Well, most likely they'll get the offer later and have to accept it. I don't know. But I'm pretty sure they, along with your boyfriend, become immortal."
"Got it."
"Alright, after the party, you're coming with me."
The party was in full swing by the time Nico decided to go. Percy went over to him.
"Congrats little cuz!"
"Nico, you're not leaving me, right?" Will came over and asked.
"Of course not. I didn't even know I'd become immortal. And dad said I could spend time with you."
"Good!"
Nico folded his wings and sat down with the rest of the heroes. Suddenly, they heard a call to go back in the throne room. They all looked at each other and entered. Zeus was yelling at a person with a falcon-headed man wearing the pschent, or a red and white crown. Nico, Percy and Annabeth gulped.
"Demigods, we are going to war with the Egyptians!" Zeus yelled.
"We just went through a war!" Percy yelled.
"And we will go through another."
"How did this even happen?" Nico asked.
"I have no clue."
Nico groaned. Suddenly, a black door appeared.
"You called cousin?" Anubis was there.
Nico's head snapped up.
"They're preparing for war!"
"Why?"
"To prove who's the strongest." Horus said.
"Are you kidding me?" Anubis slapped his forehead.
"Why was he made king?" Nico wondered.
"I have no clue."
"Hey!"
"You can't go to war to prove who's the strongest. You'll lose people, resources."
"Well we will."
"As heir to the Underworld throne, I say the Underworld will not participate, if Lord Hades agrees."
"I agree. The Underworld will not be with you." Hades said.
"Neither will the gods from our Underworld." Anubis decreed.
"I will speak to Osiris!" Horus yelled.
"I speak on behalf of Lord Osiris. He doesn't wish to fight the Greeks. Same with the magicians."
"What did you do?" Horus asked.
"We took a gamble. Luckily, it worked." He replied.
"The demigods will not help either." Percy said.
"Oh, but they must." Zeus said.
Nico glared at him. He turned to face the demigods.
"This is stupid. Demigods, do not fight with the Egyptians. Their king may have declared war, but so did ours and it was all for a foolish reason. Do you wish to have bloodshed? A repeat of the Titan and Giant wars? Do you want to see your friends and siblings dying around you?"
The demigods all shook their heads. Zeus was really pissed out.
"No! If you continue, I will smite you!"
Nico glared at him. The Mist started coming down and the blindfold was gone. His eyes were blood red. But paired with the insanity was rage.
"Hades children go insane because of our genes. Others go insane because of war. Because of the gods. If you continue, you won't sleep peacefully. If we go to war, you will be haunted by those you could have saved from dying."
Anubis smiled. Then he glared at Horus.
"If you continue, you will no longer have support from many. The Underworld will not support you and neither will your host or many of the magicians."
The kings glared.
"Very well, we shall not go to war."
Anubis clapped.
"Great, we got through the thick skull of yours. Wait, champ, are those wings?"
"Yup. I got the promotion."
"Congrats. I knew you would amount to more than your siblings." He clapped.
"Wait, you two know each other?" Percy asked.
"Percy, do you really think I wouldn't know about the Egyptians? I'm the ambassador. I knew about them before you two had your adventures with Sadie and Carter."
"How do you know about them?" Annabeth asked.
"I have contacts in high and low places."
"Great."
"By the way, tell your dead cousin I said hi."
"What?!"
I would like to thank everyone who bothered suffering through this book. A special thanks to everyone who bookmarked it, added it to their library, commented, gave kudos, voted it and/or favorited it. Also, thank you to all my followers. If you liked it, thanks and read the next one coming up. I'm still deciding which universe it'll be in. Thank you for sticking with me. See you next book! Or not. The choice is yours. The new book is already up! Go check it out.