Author's Note: And the reviews keep coming! Thank you everyone for the support. Now then for the next chapter.
Little thing (or big for some of you): For Piper fans, I apologize but please, it is part of the story and nothing happens without an intended reason. A lot of characters will have ups and downs, betrayals of every kind, and redemption so patience please.
Otherwise, I hope everyone enjoys!
Disclaimer: I do not own anything but the plot.
Same Time as Percy Left to Find Medusa
The hill was silent as a steady breeze rolled by, the tiny blades of grass dancing in unison to the light of the stars. The fields of Mars spread out within the valley, New Rome just over the hill itself. It was still the middle of the night and the stars were bright though shadows abounded as well. In this darkness the shadows writhed and condensed together to form a feminine figure. Soon the shadows and darkness dissipated to reveal Andromeda, her currently black eyes scanning around herself. Finding no one she released a tensed sigh, though her frame did lose some of the tension it held before.
"Okay … if I were a legendary demigod of the big seven prophecy, where would I go?" she asked herself as she looked towards New Rome. "Hmm … I could probably find them wherever the strongest presence is," she mused as she started to walk towards the city.
She walked silently, enjoying the cool night and fresh air. She glanced at the moon and frown though, the bright satellite being a constant reminder of the goddess who'd lied to her for years. She sighed in sadness at the thought, wondering why things had to turn out like this. Even still she couldn't truly hate the goddess or her Hunt, which was why she left all the planning on how to eliminate them to her brother and Rhea. They didn't have a problem with the task and honestly, Andy wished them a quick death … but knew that it wasn't likely. Still, that wasn't her purpose at the moment so she shock the thoughts before she noticed she'd arrived at the city limit and a statue with no arms had just popped into existence in front of her.
"Halt!" Terminus, god of Borders and Boundaries, shouted in latin at her. "State your business."
"Hello Lord Terminus," she greeted respectfully with a small bow and everything. "I just wish to visit the city. Is that okay?"
The statue stared at her hard before asking, "Just who are you young demigod? I've never seen you before."
"I'm from the Greek camp and am just visiting the area," she replied without missing a step. "I was enjoying the fields and wasn't really planning on visiting the city tonight but tomorrow. However, it just looks so beautiful at night that I couldn't resist. So can I go, pleeeaase?" she asked with full blown puppy eyes and quivering lip.
The statue grimaced slightly, obviously trying to resist her gaze but it was a losing battle and soon Terminus caved.
"Very well," he said stiffly. "Any weapons to declare?"
"No, I only have jewelry," she answered in a voice laced with powerful charmspeak beyond the ability of any god or monster.
Terminus couldn't so much as twitch an eyebrow as his facial features softened before he nodded.
"Enjoy New Rome," he said before the statue went completely stiff meaning that Terminus had moved his conscious to another one along the border.
Andromeda had a very Percy-ish grin on her face as she continued to walk, already hearing the chatter of the lively city. 'Now to search …'
A raven haired figure sat comfortably at a local café of New Rome, sipping on a steaming cup of black coffee, no sugar. He was dressed in a black bicker jacket over his equally black t-shirt with a skull on the front. His ripped jeans were more of the dark grey shade leading to thick, black boots with steel toes. His belt had a skull buckle matching the one on his right index finger, his usual Stygian Iron blade left back at his room in the Underworld due to laws of New Rome and bringing weapons. He was Nico Di Angelo, now a young man of 23 years. He'd filled out in the years, with a steady stream of training, hunting down rogue souls, and proper rest and nutrition thanks to one Dr. Solace.
Now standing at nearly 6 foot and with a body of a tri-athlete, more defined and chiseled features, and of course the dark and mysterious air around him, he was quite the chick magnet. Mores the pity he didn't bat that way. He sat alone for now, silently thinking on the last few years and how much things had changed ever since his cousin disappeared. A week after the seven were given their rewards, Percy simply disappeared off the face of the earth. At first Nico had been a little worried but when he'd been informed of how Annabeth had not only cheated, but took godhood without pause without coming clean to his cousin, he thought that Percy had simply left to get some air. Alaska was beautiful that time of year anyways.
However, after a year passed he got worried and noted his father was particularly distressed at the mentioned of the lost hero so Nico had pressed him for information and what he got shocked him. He knew he'd felt an odd death pair of deaths that week but to get it straight from his father how the gods had murdered Percy's family … well, let's just say that there were several sorry undead that got to feel his wrath in the aftermath. After venting he made sure to visit Sally and Paul in Elysium (Hades escorted them himself) and tried to inform them of what happened. They weren't thrilled but he promised to keep them up to date of anything particularly important. Afterwards he'd almost charged straight into the Hunt to recover Percy's sister but then thought better of it. He knew the Olympians were covering up what they did and a search had been issued for Percy. That alone would keep the Hunt too mobile and alert for him to possibly sneak into their camp unnoticed.
He also couldn't bring himself to tell Thalia about what her mistress did. Where would Thalia go if she left the Hunt? Would Artemis even let her go if she knew that the secret could get out? Not likely and Nico wouldn't have pushed it past the goddess to threaten to harm Percy's sister to keep them both quiet so he decided that for now, he wouldn't act. What was he waiting for? A sign possibly. Percy was too powerful for his death to not cause literal quakes through the Underworld so Nico was sure the cheeky bastard is alive somewhere.
'But does he know what the Olympians did? Probably … his disappearance was too convenient otherwise,' Nico thought as he heard the bell for the door ring, signaling a new customer. He stood at 6 foot'2 with a bright head of blonde hair and electric blue eyes. His strong jaw line, lean and muscular build, and faintly tanned skin turned many a heads in the café. He was dressed in a buttoned version of the Camp Jupiter shirt, curtesy of Calypso's dress shop located in the city next to Leo's forge. His sleeves were rolled up showing his branding of SPQR and over a decade's worth of bars for his services. Lastly were his clean blue jeans and tanned boots that had a heavy thud with his every step, marking the approach of Jason Grace, son of Jupiter, ex-praetor, and one of the immortal (partially) guardians of New Rome. 'I know I love Will and all but I got to admit, Jason's hot,' Nico thought while appreciating the sight.
After a year or so with his reward, Jason had returned to Olympus and asked if he and Piper could be allowed to grow until they reached 25 and many people liked the results. It was actually pretty funny when Nico and Jason did these hang out since they almost always got hit on together and then had to softly put down their admirers. Nico just did a sort of 'not interested' glare while Jason was just too damn nice and usually took forever to get his point across that he was taken. The rare few that replied with 'doesn't matter, you look like you could use two girlfriends' always made Jason choke while Nico actually laughed from time to time. Even the thought of it was making him smile faintly.
"You're looking happy. Something nice happen?" Jason asked with a chuckle as he plopped down in the seat across from Nico.
"Nah, just thinking of the girls that hit on you," Nico shot back and was satisfied to see Jason scratching his neck nervously. Giving him some mercy Nico pushed on with the conversation, "So, back from another 'exciting' job?"
Jason sighed as he relaxed in his chair. "Yeah. Two demigods this time up in Oregon. Both around 12 years old and already running from a persistent pack of hellhounds. Got to them in time though and I dropped them off yesterday at the barracks. Looks like a son of Mercury and I'm almost sure a daughter of Athena but they'll have to wait for official claiming."
"The work never ends," Nico muttered while taking a sip of his coffee and waving down a waitress.
"Amen to that," Jason agreed as he looked through a small menu. "But hey, that's the job I picked and honestly, makes me feel good to go out and save lives like that. If anything I'm sure he would have joined me."
At the mention of Percy they got a little more sober, both missing the guy that was their brother in all but blood, especially Nico after he came to terms with his crush on Percy and how Percy was obviously in love with Annabeth … bitch.
"I miss him man," Jason said softly after a waitress came and took his order.
"Most of us do," Nico agreed with a sigh. "We searched for years but he just up and vanished."
"Yeah and remember about his family. Jeez, do you think he even knew about them dying?" Jason asked as he looked at his own hands. "… Even his little sister disappeared … she never got a chance."
At the mention of Percy's sister, Nico had to suppress a flinch as guilt welled up within him. Like Thalia, none of the others had been told the truth of what happened for similar reasons. They could all be put in danger if they knew and worse if they acted rashly about it. The group was already split up as it was and that made them vulnerable. Nico had his duties in the Underworld, Thalia was surrounded by obedient hunters at Artemis' beck and call, Frank and Hazel had moved upstate to the border of Canada together, and Annabeth was mostly on Olympus but then again, she would probably be part of the threat rather than be in danger.
"I know its hard Jason," Nico said softly as he set his drink down. "But we will just have to carry on and hope that he returns someday."
"But how can you be sure that he's even alive?" Jason asked dejectedly.
Nico's only reply was a raised eyebrow, as if asking Jason if he was really asking him, a son of Hades, if he knew if someone was alive or not. Jason got the idea after a few seconds and the pair paused their conversation as the waitress arrived with Jason's drink, a loaded caramel macchiato with fudge and even a damn toasted marshmallow on top. Nico stared at the sugary bomb, not noticing the ding of the bell as another customer, a girl with raven hair reaching her lower back, walked into the store while aiming a subtle eye at them before taking a seat just far enough to not draw attention but close enough to eavesdrop.
"So…" Jason started after taking a sip of his order, much to Nico's growing horror. "… Any news?"
"Hmmm," Nico hummed as he tapped his chin. "Not too much really. The Hunt has been rather silent and barely seen nowadays …"
"Barely seen?" Jason asked incredulously. "They haven't visited either camp in years or the one or two council meetings I've attended to add suggestions for camp, Lady Artemis barely speaks at all and mostly looks at the floor. Something has to have happened with them."
'Yeah, some girl and massive wolf arrived, ripped Phoebe apart and kidnapped Percy's sister,' Nico thought, recalling the Iris message he'd received days after it happened. Sure, Thalia didn't know that 'Atalanta' was in fact Andromeda Jackson, but he'd been one of the few that knew what happened since the Olympians, again, were hiding any signs of weakness. Their best equivalent to a special forces being so easily infiltrated, losing one of their best and oldest hunter, and it all happening without Artemis being able to do anything to stop it. That was a heavy blow to the entire pride of Olympus … and it scared them. Thalia had told him that the Hunt hand been on a search for this 'Umbra' and the girl accompanying him ever since in thirst of revenge but every day without success Artemis gets more easily agitated and aggressive. They also hadn't had any new recruits since and their numbers had fallen by five so far.
"Who knows, you know how secretive the Hunt can be, especially when concerning boys," Nico said with a shrug.
"Yeah I guess," Jason conceded while sipping at his drink. "What else?"
"Camp Half-Blood is busy as ever. Overflowing with demigods but no additions to the Big Three as of yet. The cabins are being expanded into several floor buildings and many minor god cabins have been completed. Annabi-excuse me, Annabeth has been busy with helping the development and that gaudy statue as a monument was finished," Nico continued.
Jason grimaced at the mention of the statue. He had been one of the people against erecting monuments for them. If anything, there should be something to represent all the lives lost in the wars, not just celebrating the seven, especially considering that the seven had more than planned with Nico and Reyna's involvement.
"Let's see … nah, that's all I got at the moment," Nico finished with a shrug. "What about you?"
"Huh, where to begin?" Jason replied while rolling a shoulder. "Well, Frank and Hazel are doing well last time I visited."
"Takes guts what they're doing," Nico muttered to which Jason nodded.
"You have to admit though, creating a safe house with small barrier and everything for demigods in need while being guarded by two experienced, powerful, partially immortal demigods is a great idea," Jason added with a faint smile.
"True but they are a little out of the way," Nico pointed out.
"Maybe they'll move it to somewhere more central in a couple of years," Jason replied with a shrug.
"Maybe …"
"Anyways, aside from them, Reyna is doing fine as a senator for the council of New Rome and trainer for demigod arrivals."
"I hear she's brutal though," Nico chuckled to which Jason joined.
"No kidding. I'm pretty sure the new recruits are more scared of her than the monsters they're being trained to fight."
They both started to outright laugh at that for a good five minutes before settling down. Nico looked at Jason's smiling face but quickly grew concerned when Jason slowly started to frown.
"Jason, what's wrong?" Nico asked in a low tone.
Jason sighed before answering, "My father visited me again last week."
"Again?" Nico asked with a quirked eyebrow.
"Yeah … he's … well," Jason leaned forward so Nico mirrored him to hear better, "… he keeps offering godhood."
Had it been anyone else they would have shouted something stupid like 'godhood, no way!' but this was Nico, so he kept his features schooled as he looked at Jason for further explanation.
"As you know, he wasn't exactly happy that I turned down the request. Stuff about I'm above such work and well, things are getting pretty rough between us lately. I almost lost it on him when he said that Percy didn't matter and that I was the real hero of Olympus and should be an Olympian."
"What happened then?" Nico asked while mentally cursing Zeus further.
"He stormed off and that was a week ago," Jason replied while taking a larger gulp of his sugary tragedy.
"Huh," was all Nico could say as he thought about the prideful bastard that is the king of the gods. Honestly, after what he learned about them, the only goddess he even acknowledged was Hestia and his father. All the other ones could go swim in the bowels of Tartarus for all he cared.
"And Piper?" he asked after a pause and grew even more worried when Jason frowned again.
"We've been … okay," Jason answered unsurely. "Things have been a little tense too. I mean, I get a mission once every month at least and am gone anywhere from a few days to a whole week. I guess she's just getting bored being cooped up but I've suggested she go more often into the camp. Train or help with the new recruits but she doesn't really seem too interested in it."
"Odd considering she picked the job with you … it was a mutual choice right?" Nico asked after uncertainty flashed through Jason's eyes.
"Well, she asked me what I wanted to do after the war a few days before we got to Athens and I told her about my goal to keep helping demigods. I got a little too into it and then Piper just said it was nice but didn't tell me hers. Then on Olympus I looked at her and thought she would want it too, that's why I asked for both of us to get partial immortality, so we wouldn't be restricted by the ancient laws,' Jason explained.
"But why are things tense then?" Nico asked.
Jason ran a hand through his hair before answering, "Well … I think it might have to do with the war being over. You have to remember, Piper was thrown into our world in the middle of war and stepped up to the role she needed to play but even before all of it, she just wanted a quiet life. I guess that after the war ended, she was expecting more peace and quiet but then I got us this job that's constantly keeping me busy. She's complained about it a lot and how I'm hardly home."
"Damn," Nico sighed as he looked at Jason critically. "Well, do you at least keep her 'satisfied' when you are around? I know that helps with busy couples."
At his suggestion Jason blushed crimson while looking down at the table and not meeting Nico's eyes.
"Wait … you guys have 'progressed' right? It's been years and you have your own house," Nico said in a mix of shock and disbelief.
"I'm old fashioned dammit!" Jason snapped back with a deepening blush.
"Holy shit … the Grace siblings plus one are still virgins," Nico murmured as he stared wide eyed at his friend. "And I always thought I'd be the last."
"Dude!" Jason said while raising his hands in a surrendering gesture. "Look, I just want to make sure of everything and maybe …"
"Propose when the time is right?" Nico completed for him to which Jason nodded. "Then what's stopping you? We're at a time of peace, monster attacks are in a steady low, demigod numbers are high and the camp defenses are strong. If there was a time, it's now."
"It's just … I don't know, something feels off," Jason said while taking a small sip of his drink.
"What do you mean?" Nico asked with narrowing eyes.
"I don't know how to say it but … I feel like the Olympians will get in the way," Jason said in a low tone. "Father tried to make that one of his selling points on how I was worthy of a goddess, not a mere child of Aphrodite. I'm pretty sure Aphrodite would approve and all but then again, lately she's been having bonding night outs with Piper, especially after we have arguments. Pipes is gone for a night or two and then seems happier than usual but doesn't really tell me what she does and I find it a little … worrying."
"Dude, you aren't suggesting …"
"I don't know what to think," Jason cut him off shortly. "But if anything I should trust her and be thankful that Aphrodite is helping her out."
"Okay, I won't push on anything but hey, if you ever need to talk, I'm an IM away … or if I happen to be on the surface you can just use your flashy transportation," Nico said while finishing with a snicker.
"Hey! Don't dis the lightning teleportation man. It's cooler than shadow traveling," Jason replied with a smirk.
"Whatever you say," Nico replied with a shrug. "At least it didn't take me years to figure out my shadow traveling … how long was it before you figure out how to travel by lightning again?"
"Well I didn't wind up halfway to China when I messed up," Jason countered before downing the rest of his drink. "So, want to head back to my place and throw back some cold ones?"
"You want beer after drinking that?" Nico asked incredulously while pointing an accusing finger at Jason's empty cup.
"Sure," Jason said with a shrug. "Pipes wasn't home when I arrived last night and I always enjoy good company, so what do you say?"
Nico thought about it for a few moments before sighing in defeat and nodding. He finished his coffee quickly, went up to the counter to pay for their drinks, and then the pair headed out … not noticing their little 'shadow' trailing them. They walked in comfortable silence, enjoying the sights of the city around them as they headed for the newest district added to New Rome. It was specifically commissioned after the council was informed that Jason and Piper had taken a role as guardians of the camp along with Frank and Hazel at the time. Calypso and Leo joined a year or two later forming the 'Guardian District'. Essentially is was a way for the council to brown nose them into favor with an upper class style lodgings.
Reyna and Nico were each built a home as well in honor of their efforts but truly, out of all the heroes of the Giant War, only Jason, Piper and Reyna lived here. Nico was mostly in the Underworld or with Will in their apartment in New York, Frank and Hazel have their house up north, and Calypso and Leo usually prefer to flash to a custom built house on Ogygia. The houses were nice though, being built into large villas with large spans of land and even some trees around them. Jason even had a reception hall and office added to his and Piper's just in case a senator or legion member needed to have an emergency meeting with him.
"Don't you ever find it creepy that this place is almost always deserted?" Nico asked.
"I don't want to hear that from the guy who prefers staying in the place where screams of torture are the background," Jason replied with a deadpanned as Jason's house came into view … and the living room light was on. "Huh, Pipes must be home then …"
The pair continued to walk on up the small path to the front door and Nico noticed that it was slightly ajar making him frown in thought. As they stepped closer Nico caught the sound of heavy breathing and the occasional grunt making him frown further. A glance at Jason showed him that the son of Jupiter gone rather pale as his hands balled into fists. Nico started dreading what they would find but they couldn't stop themselves as they arrived at the door and soundlessly pushed it open to a startling sight.
There, just a mere few meters in front of them on a couch, was Piper and some blonde dude fucking like rabbits. Piper was on her back, legs spread, as her tongue hung loose and her eyes remained glazed with lust as she looked at the man mercilessly pounding into her. Her hair was disheveled and Nico caught the trace scent of alcohol in the air along with heavy perfume. The man over her was rather handsome, with a lean yet heavily muscled back, tan complexion, short cut hair, and deep blue eyes.
Nico and Jason stood stock still at the sight, neither really being able to think a coherent thought as they watched on while the man continued on without a care in the world. However, after a while Piper's face turned their way as a breeze rolled in … and her eyes widened in surprise.
"Jason!" she shouted in shock before she looked at the man on top of her in horror. "Oh my gods …"
Suddenly the man stopped as he turned his torso to like at them smugly.
"See little bro, once a daughter of Aphrodite, always a daughter of Aphrodite," the 'man' said as his facial features changed to more clear cut, his blonde hair growing until it reached his cheeks giving him a surfer look.
"Apollo!" Piper shouted in shock as she used one hand to cover her bare breasts while scooting away from him, tears starting to trail down her eyes. "How!? Why!?"
"Oh don't play innocent sweetheart, I only put the moves, you did everything else," Apollo chuckled back as he snapped his finger and was immediately dressed in jeans and a white buttoned shirt while walking towards the still silent Jason. "Pops told you, you were above her and now you have the proof."
"Jason don't listen to him!" Piper shouted as she grabbed a shirt from the floor and put it on to cover herself.
"So come on bro," Apollo continued while resting a hand on Jason's shoulders. "Let's head on up to Olympus and talk it up with dad," he added with an unashamed grin.
"Artemis was right about you," Jason finally said in a broken voice as his head remained turned down. "You really are a pigheaded bastard."
Apollo's grin fell at the words, his face becoming serious as he spoke in a grave voice, "Father can only take a no so many times … bro."
Jason's hands shot up and grabbed Apollo by the collar of his shirt, his head finally rising to reveal the tears running down his cheeks. "You're not my brother!" he shouted as lightning started to crackle off his body to the point Nico had to take a step back. "And I'm going to make you pay!"
Author's Rant: Yeah ... that happened. What will come of this? SO much you have no idea! Again, I apologize to Piper and Jasper fans but this was done for a reason and next chapter will explain a lot of things. Cool? Hope everyone enjoyed nonetheless and let me hear your thoughts!
A pleasure, Jbubu
