Chapter 11: Rose's Plan
Hey everyone I'm back with a new chapter. Sorry about the wait, this one took a while to figure out but I think you'll like what I have planned. Also I'm pleased to say this story has gotten through its first year and has tons of support. I'm glad you all enjoy it so much. Please Review and Enjoy.
It was late at night as Medusa was stirring a pot over a fire as Nico saw with a frown on his face still sad about what happened.
"I'm very proud of what you did today sweetie, you made the right choice." Medusa said ladling the broth into the bowl for him.
"Yeah thanks Mom." Nico said taking it.
"I'm just glad I was able to stop you before she did something horrible to you. Olympians, I tell you Nico they get inside your head and right when you let your guard down they hurt you." Medusa warns filling up her bowl.
"I just can't believe it." Nico said.
"I know it's hard at first, but you'll be okay." Medusa said as Nico was about to take a spoonful but stopped.
"I'm not that hungry. I think I'm gonna go to bed." Nico said standing up.
"Are you sure? Anything I can do to help?" Medusa asks. "Y-You're not scared of me now are you?"
"Mom, one thing that will never change is how much I love you. You may not have given birth to me, but you're my mom and I love you." Nico smiles weakly before giving her a hug.
Smiling Medusa hugs him back. "I love you too Nico."
As they let go, Medusa watches Nico leave but noticed his smile changed to a sad miserable frown the second he turned away from her.
"That face." Medusa gasps.
Hissing the snakes knew that look all the too well. It was the same miserable look Medusa had every day before she found Nico.
"It-It's fine yeah, he'll be good as new by tomorrow. Guaranteed." Medusa said trying to brush it off.
However it did not blow away, Nico had become so sad and depressed he didn't even want to go back to school.
Walking out Medusa saw Nico just sitting by the lake with his head down at the water.
"You know y-your friends might be worried about you. You sure you don't want to go back to school?" Medusa asks.
"No thanks. I think it's best I just stay here." Nico said rolling over. "You were right mom. I would get hurt."
Frowning Medusa slowly walks away.
Looking at her, her snakes hissed.
"I did warn him, but I-I never thought it would hurt him like this." Medusa admits.
Back at Olympian Academy, Nico's absence did not go unnoticed by those close to him.
At his table, Hercules looks over to the empty seat where Nico always sat and sighed.
"It's been 3 days, Nico where are you?" Hercules asks.
Little did he know, Thea was looking at Nico's spot as well from outside and frowns.
"Hoo?" Thea's owl asks.
"No, the quest continues. Even if I don't have him." Thea said.
After class, Thea met with Hercules, Icarus and Tempest to convince them to join the quest.
"So wait, you actually know a place that needs a hero?" Hercules asks interested.
"The City of Crete, the people there are in desperate need of help and seeing how well you three work together I recommended you." Thea said.
"Crete? My father was asked to work there. He could be in trouble." Icarus gasps.
"But what about Nico? Our team isn't complete without him?" Tempest asks.
"Yeah what happened to him?" Icarus asks causing Thea's fist to tighten.
"Complications arose with Nicodemus and as such chose not to come." Thea said.
"So you expect us to go into battle without a complete army? That is not a wise idea." Tempest said.
"Yeah Nico is the heart and soul of this team." Hercules agrees.
"Not to mention, a super tough fighter." Icarus said.
"Agreed, but fortunately I found someone who can help fill his sandals." Thea said as stepping out was a teenage boy with an above-average muscular build, light blue robes, rough blonde hair and blue eyes. "Everyone meet Theseus. He was chosen to help alongside you."
"I really look forward to working with you guys." Theseus said causing the three of them to become uneasy.
After school, Hercules was sitting with Icarus who was writing a note while Tempest was pacing back and forth.
"My first chance to become a hero and it's without my mentor." Hercules said.
"Thea is obviously hiding something. When we brought up Nicodemus she got angry." Tempest said.
"My bet is those two got into a little fight, that's part of the reason Nico isn't here." Icarus said.
"So that means they're angry at each other." Hercules guesses.
"What do we do? We can't just let Thea replace Nico for something this important." Tempest said.
"Don't worry we thought of that and Herc and I came up with a plan." Icarus said tying the note to a bird. "Fly my pretty deliver the message."
"What's going on?" Tempest asks as the bird flew towards Thea.
"See we wrote a note to Thea apologizing but we said it was from Nico." Herc said.
"Wait from Nico?" Tempest said when Thea turns towards them.
"I know this is from you Icarus! Nico can't write! My choice is final!" Thea yells ripping the note and storming off.
"How could we forget Nico can't write?" Herc asks.
"Ooh what if we sent Nico a note saying it's from Thea instead?" Icarus suggests.
"You boys are idiots." Tempest facepalms.
"She's right, we don't even know where Nico lives, how are we gonna give him the note?" Herc asks.
"Yes, Hercules that's what's wrong with that plan." Tempest groans.
Meanwhile in small garden, Thea's owl was in a tree watching as its owner was pacing back and forth mumbling to herself.
"Of all the living creatures in all of Greece, she had to be his mother. And worse, he chose her over me. Me? I'm the Goddess of Wisdom and she's a gorgon. And to think I actually kissed him." Thea said grabbing a rock.
Roaring in anger she threw it with all her might and ended up breaking the arms off a statue of Aphrodite.
"Wow thanks Thea, you just broke the Aphrodite de Milos. That was my favorite statue." A familiar voice said.
Looking to a tree, Thea saw Rose sitting against the trunk.
"I'm really not in the mood to talk Rose." Thea said.
"Dealing with your first breakup is always hard and yours must have been shocking. I mean the Goddess Wisdom's first love is the Son of Medusa. Talk about a tragic love story." Rose said.
"Whatever, I don't need him. I can find another student to take his place on my squad of heroes." Thea said looking away.
"Do you really believe that?" Rose asks sitting up.
"He walked out of my own temple. Face it, we weren't meant to be." Thea said.
"Really? Hmm let's see." Bending down, Rose picks up a flower and starts pulling the petals off. "Nico loves you, he loves you not, he loves you, he loves you not."
"Really? This cliché?" Thea rolls her eyes as Rose kept picking petals and walking towards her.
"Loves you, loves you not, loves you, loves you not." Rose stops in front of Thea revealing one petal left on the flower. "He loves you." Rose smiles.
"If he loves me like you say then why did he choose her?" Thea frowns.
"As smart as you are, you've never been in love before. It's not something you can read in one of your books and understand. Love is a very interesting thing. It can be beautiful, tragic, simple, complex and so many other things. That's what makes it so amazing." Rose said.
"That doesn't make sense. How can it be so many things?" Thea asks.
"Because you're thinking with this." Rose pokes Thea on the head. "Love revolves around this." Moving her finger down, Rose pokes her heart area. "Nicodemus went with Medusa because she is his mother. He's known her since he was infant and she raised him. Not to mention he was mad at you for your choice in judgement. It wasn't exactly your wisest choice and he's hurt because that horrible unlovable monster found something that can love her."
"Meaning he hates me now. I bet his mother is probably preparing to use him to get revenge against me." Thea assumes.
"Are you sure about that?" Rose picks the last petal off. "Have a look at this."
Dropping the petal in the fountain, it rippled on the surface creating an image.
Looking down, Thea saw Nico all alone in his room with tears coming down his eyes.
"Nico?" Thea said surprised.
"Yeah he really wants to take revenge on you." Rose said sarcastically.
Seeing how hurt and sad he was, Thea couldn't help but feel horrible.
"Why are you telling me this?" Thea asks.
"Because you think you don't want him in your life but if you really meant it then you wouldn't be so hurt about him. The heart wants what the heart wants Thea." Rose said before leaving.
Flying down Thea's owl lands on her shoulder.
"She's got nothing but romance on the brain. I don't care about that mortal." Thea said as the image of him turned in her direction. "I don't care about those dumb blind jokes, that snarky attitude, or that…clever wit and that sweet smile that makes you melt like ice on a hot summer day." Thea sighs before grabbing water from the fountain and splashing it in her face. "And I'm back!"
Seeing this Thea's owl hooted like it was laughing.
"Not another word out of you birdbrain!" Thea snaps.
Behind a tree, Rose smirks. "One down, two to go." She said before walking away.
Hours later, Luna was sitting in a meadow polishing her bow with Rose sitting nearby.
"So I need a favor. I need an animal preferably of the avian variety." Rose said.
"Why would I hunt an animal for you?" Luna asks.
"It's not for hunting and it's not for me. There's someone who needs this bird." Rose said.
"A hero? No thank you, not interested." Luna said loading an arrow into the bow and aimed at the target.
"Really? Oh no, poor Nicodemus as if he wasn't hurt enough as it is." Rose said surprising her.
"Nico?" Luna said stopping just before firing. "What's going on?"
Seeing she got her attention Rose leans in.
"It's so tragic, poor Nicodemus had his heart crushed by someone he cared for, now he's sad, miserable and desperate for anyone who can help the pain go away." Rose said in a dramatic tone.
"Wait, he is?" Luna said worried.
"He won't eat, sleep, go to school. Imagine how kind and grateful he'll be to the one who can lift him from his sadness." Rose hints causing Luna to blush at the idea.
"Well I uhm, I guess I can spare something. I mean don't expect anything fancy." Luna stutters.
'How is it one mortal is giving me this much fun? Maybe when I finish with him and Thea I'll push Nicodemus in her direction.' Rose giggles at the thought. "And now my extra help should be on her way."
As the sun was setting, Nico was still in his spot all alone.
Slowly walking out Medusa approaches him.
"I'm not really in a talking mood, mom." Nico said.
"That's fine, but if you're not going to school will you at least go into town for supplies?" Medusa asks.
"Sure, why not?" Getting up, Nico grabs his stick and basket before leaving the house.
"I don't get it, what's happening to him? He should be over it by now." Medusa said confused.
"Quite the son you have there." A female voice star startling her.
Turning around Medusa and her snakes hiss only to see a teenage girl tending to the fire making it blaze. She had long violet and white hair, purple clothes and on her head was a tiara with a flame design on it.
"You can try but your powers won't work on me." She said poking the flames making them grow. "Ah much better."
"I never thought I would run into an Olympian in my own home. Let alone you." Medusa said walking up to her.
"Any home, I can be found." She said.
"Hestia, Goddess of the Hearth." Medusa acknowledges.
"A pleasure, Medusa." Hestia nods before gesturing for her to sit down.
"What do you want?" Medusa asks sitting down.
"I'm here because I was asked to fix a family before it was broken." Hestia said.
"What are you talking about? Me and my son are doing very well. If you want to lecture messed up families try fixing your own." Medusa glares.
"Everyone is always quick to point out everyone's fault but their own." Hestia rolls her eyes and pokes the fire. "Your son has no sight yet ironically he sees more than anyone else."
"Because I taught him how to use other his other senses." Medusa said.
"But even so you didn't seem to notice how hurt he is." Hestia said.
"Hurt? I saved him. She was just going to hurt him like she hurt me." Medusa said.
"No, Medusa ruined your life and because of that you almost turned into a monster, but that wasn't the case with him. Now, he's dangerously close to becoming what you once were." Hestia warns getting her attention.
"What do you mean?" Medusa asks in a worried tone.
"I think it's pretty clear had you not found your son your life would not be what it is now. However, upon seeing a familiar face, all the anger and rage that originally made you a monster resurfaced and you passed it all to your son. Now he feels the same sadness, anger and loneliness that once consumed your life." Hestia explains.
"What? No he-he's not acting like me? Is he?" Medusa asks as her snakes hissed confused.
"In your rage you were so focused on her you didn't notice him." Thea pokes the flames, but this time Thea saw in image in it.
There she saw Nico and Thea smiling and laughing before she leaned in and kissed him.
"H-He looks so happy." Medusa said hurt.
"Because of your anger, Nicodemus feels he must feel the same and because of that he's in the pain he is." Hestia said.
"I-I don't want this. I mean sure I like having him here but not like this. I want the little boy I raised back, the one who makes snarky jokes at his blindness, the one who made me feel like a human being again, what do I do?" Medusa asks.
"I think you know the answer." Hestia said standing up.
Frowning Medusa knows what she meant. "You don't have to forgive, I don't blame you for the hate, but you're a mother and you have to ask yourself is being right worth having the very hatred that almost ruined your life ruin your son's?" Hestia asks walking out.
"Be honest guys, what do you think?" Medusa asks as her snakes hissed at her. "Ugh I hate when you make points like that. I guess I better talk to him when he comes back." Medusa sighs.
In town, Nico was at a stand getting produce.
"Thanks." Nico said paying the man.
"What's wrong kid? You look kinda blue?" He asks.
"I'd rather not talk about it." Nico said walking away.
"The aching look of a broken heart. I know that anywhere." Rose said walking behind him.
"Who are you?" Nico asks.
"My name is Rose and your friends sent me to look for you." Rose said walking up to him.
"My friends?" Nico said not expecting that.
"They're worried about you." Rose said.
"Well they shouldn't. With what I'm dealing with they can't help." Nico said walking out of town with Rose next to him.
"She must have been quite the girl." Rose said.
"Look I really don't want to talk about it." Nico said.
"Why not?" Rose asks.
"Because it was awful okay. One of the worst days of my life." Nico frowns.
"She really hurt you uh?" Rose asks.
"She didn't hurt me, she hurt my mother. So I left her before she got the chance to hurt me." Nico said.
"So she wanted to hurt you?" Rose asks.
"Well no…at least I don't think so." Nico admits.
"Then why are you pushing everyone away?" Rose asks.
"Because how can I trust anyone when the girl I really liked turned out to be something else?" Nico asks.
"Because no one wants to be alone." Rose said silencing him. "You want to go to her, but you're scared. Scared what might happen if you find her."
"Yes, alright I'm scared because I don't know what to do or what to expect." Nico said.
"Even so, isolating yourself is not the answer. If you love this girl you have to confront her. Maybe she regrets what happened." Rose said.
"Doubtful, she's very stubborn and tough, not to mention smart with that cute voice." Nico blushes causing Rose to giggle.
"Sounds like you still like her." Rose teases.
"Even if I do it doesn't matter. She's probably forgotten all about me." Nico said.
"Are you 100% sure?" Rose asks leaning in. "For all you know she could be wanting to talk to you more than anything."
"But…what if it goes wrong? What if she breaks my heart again? I don't think I can deal with it." Nico admits.
"Love is a risky thing. If you don't take the risk nothing will change." Rose said.
"Wow, you know a lot about love." Nico said.
"Yes I do, in fact I even have a gift for you from someone who is very worried about." Rose said.
"You do?" Nico asks as Rose whistles and flying in from a tree and landing on the tip of Nico's walking stick was a crow.
Cawing Nico looks at the crow surprised.
"A bird?" Nico asks not expecting this.
"A crow to be precise. To help guide you through the tough times." Rose said.
"Wow thanks uh where did you get a crow?" Nico asks.
"Your friend Luna helped find him." Rose said.
"Luna? She wants to help me?" Nico asks.
"You have more of an impact on others than you realize Nico and your friends know that. They need you and you need them." Rose said causing him to smile for the first time in days.
"Wow, thanks Rose." Nico said.
"My pleasure." Rose said.
As Nico walked away, he didn't notice Rose wave her hand and a small amount of magic surrounded the crow before Nico disappeared into the forest.
'Alright Thea, if you don't blow this, I guarantee that you will earn him back.' Rose smiles seeing her plan was complete.
Up on the hill, Nico was walking home with his new feathery friend.
"So you really plan on sticking by me, huh?" Nico asks as the crow caws and nods his head. "Well I guess I'm gonna need a name for you. Unless you're fine with being called Birdbrain."
Narrowing his eyes, the crow pokes him with his claws.
"Ow! Man those are sharp talons." Nico cringed before getting an idea. "Hey…Talon, how does that sound?"
Cawing the crow seemed to like it.
"Talon it is. Now lay off the claws." Nico said as Talon eased up. "We'll work something out, I don't think mom wants a bird flying through the house."
As they approached the house, Talon flew off and perched on the window.
"Mom? Are you there? I need to tell you something." Nico said as Medusa walks in.
"I need to tell you something too." Medusa said.
"I want to go help my friends. / I want you to go help your friends." They both said as the same time. "Huh?" Both paused.
"Wait you actually want me to go? Why?" Nico asks confused.
"Nicodemus, I want to apologize. I was so angry at Athena for what she did to me I didn't even consider what she was doing to you. You like her, don't you?" Medusa asks.
"Yes, I do Mom but I understand why you are angry." Nico said.
"But that's the thing. It's my anger and I tried to make it yours. I'm sorry Nico, I just wanted to protect you so when you got hurt you wouldn't end up a monster…like me." Medusa frowns.
"You're not a monster. You're my mom." Nico said surprising her. "I mean sure I'm not your real son but you raised me. You helped me become who I am today. And I know you were just doing it because you love me, but I can take care of myself. After all, you taught me everything I know." Nico smiles.
"I guess I was just scared I'd lose you." Medusa said.
"Mom, you won't. I promise." Nico said.
Smiling Medusa gives her son a big hug. "I love you Nico."
"I love you too, mom." Nico said.
"So what snapped you out of it?" Medusa asks separating.
"Someone reminded me of what I had and showed me how much some cared." Nico said as Talon flew over and landed on his shoulder. "Mom, meet Talon."
"Well, you young man are going to be in charge of feeding, cleaning and taking care of that." Medusa said.
"I understand. So I can go help my friends with Thea's quest?" Nico asks.
"I suppose. Tomorrow morning we'll head right down and you can join them." Medusa said.
"And you'll be fine with me being around Athena?" Nico asks.
"Let me make one thing clear. I do not trust her in the slightest, but I trust you." Medusa reminds.
"Got it." Nico nods.
"Well then we better get you to your friends. They'll be excited to see you want to join them." Medusa said.
However the next morning, Nico was met with some bad news.
"What do you mean they already left?!" Nico snaps.
"I mean I overheard your little group talking about how they were going down to the docks. It's not my fault you decided to play hooky these last few days with your ugly new pet." Adonis said gesturing to Talon who immediately flies over and starts pecking him. "Ow! Ow! Ow! Cut it out!"
"You know Talon, I think you and I are gonna be good friends." Nico chuckles as Talon flew back to him.
"You two were made for each other. Both respectful bottom feeders." Adonis said when Nico grabs him and yanks him in close.
"Listen Adonis, I have had a really lousy past few days so here's what's going to happen. You are going to dig into that nut you call a brain and tell me everything you know about my friends right now." Nico said.
"What's it in for me?" Adonis asks.
"Your teeth." Nico threatens gripping his stick tight. "I don't ladies will think you're so amazing when you smile and reveal a few of them missing."
"You wouldn't." Adonis gasps.
"Try me." Nico glares.
As Adonis looks into Nico's clear eyes he saw nothing but terror as they reflected revealing his scared face.
"They said they were going on a boat to Crete." Turning around Adonis saw Andormeda walk in. "I overheard them saying this girl named Thea had told them and Theseus to meet her there."
"Thank you Andromeda, it's nice to know some people actually pay attention." Nico said shoving Adonis away.
He was about to run out when he turns to Andormeda and gives her a brief hug. "Thank you." Smiling Nico turned to run out.
Surprised Andromeda couldn't help but giggle at his reaction.
"He has a lot of nerve talking to me like that and touching you." Adonis scoffs.
"I find it nice. At least someone in this room appreciates me." Andromeda said walking out leaving Adonis all alone.
Running to the front of the school, Nico saw Medusa with her hood over her face waiting for him.
"What happened?" Medusa asks.
"Apparently Thea had picked another hero to try and fill my place. She took them all to the docks this morning." Nico said.
"Then it's too late, we'll never catch them now if they're on a boat." Medusa said when Nico realized something.
"Wait, if they went by boat that means Hercules left…oh no. I know how we can get there but I am not going to like it." Nico cringed.
Pausing Medusa and Talon look at Nico confused.
In the stables, Nico and Medusa enter to see Pegasus was still there.
"A flying horse?" Medusa said surprised.
"I helped Hercules get him a while back." Nico said as he made his way to him who neighs startled. "Easy Horse feathers. She's not gonna hurt. I need you to get me to Hercules, he needs our help." Almost instantly the horse calmed down to listen. "You need to get us to Crete and fast."
"Wait us?" Medusa asks.
"Yeah I need someone to steer this thing." Nico said pointing to his eyes.
"Oh this is gonna be good." Medusa grins under her hood.
Minutes later, Pegasus was flying through the air with Medusa up front and Nico and Talon in the back.
"This is incredible!" Medusa cheers having the time of her life. "Nico we're flying!"
"I hate this so much!" Nico screams holding onto her for dear life.
Cawing Talon was laughing at his owner's displacement.
"Oh shut up bird brain!" Nico said as they flew off to join Nico's friends on Thea's quest.
Down below, Rose was sitting by the fountain watching them flying away and giggles.
"And now it's up to them." Rose said.
"This was an interesting request." Hestia said walking over and sitting next to her. "Normally you don't get involved with such things."
"It's because I see something Hestia. That boy could be the start to my greatest feat yet." Rose said looking up.
"Always got romance on the brain. Well whoever you have him going after she must be worth it." Hestia shrugs. "He is an interesting mortal I'll give him that."
'What makes you think I'm stopping with one?' Rose thought with a smile on her face. 'Don't say I never did anything nice for you Athena.'