XX
The Pantheon War
After shadow traveling away. Nico stormed off towards his destination, trying to get a grip on his blasphemous emotions. As much as he told himself he was over Percy, he wasn't. The only way to move on from a crush is to find a new one, and even then no one ever forgets their first. Nico just hoped in the future he wouldn't have to go to extreme measures, like his father did.*
"Damn it Percy." Nico muttered to himself. "Why do you always have to be in the thick of everything?" As much as Nico wished to just forget Percy and move on. Percy didn't make it easy. He was constantly in danger, and Nico couldn't let the kelpheaded hero get himself killed.
The old run down hotel loomed ominously in front of him, looking deserted, but Nico knew better. He remembered the first time he went there, out of curiosity. Immediately all the vampires in the promsciminity attacked him, but all Nico had to do was unsheathe his sword and make the ground rumble at his feet for them to back off. Turns out even vampires were nervous of Nico's presence. Of course most of them had no idea what he was, but they could tell by scent, and his powers that he wasn't someone to mess with. Nico didn't mind, he didn't particularly like their company either. Vampires should be dead, and in the Underworld where they belong. They shouldn't be able to cheat death like this. At least when Hazel came back she was still human.
Raphael wasn't very pleased to see the half-blood, they shared an uneasy alliance. Nico would turn a blind eye to all the newborn vampires, and Raphael would tell him all about this world of downworlders and shadowhunters. During their talks Nico learned how all the downworlders shared a mutual dislike for Nephilim. Maybe they could help the demigods if a war broke out.
"Ah Nico of Angels how was your visit at the Faery court?" he asked with a cruel smirk on his face. Nico scowled. He was an idiot for being curious about the fair folk. Meeting them was almost as bad as meeting cupid.
"It's Di Angelo and I'm here to discuss other matters." Nico spat. The vampire loved to call Nico by his English translation apparently he found it amusing.
"Well what else to do you want to know? I'm pretty sure I've already told you everything." Raphael drawled checking his nails. Nico's hands curled into fists.
"I came here asking for your help." Nico asked reluctantly. He didn't like the vampires, or asking for assistance but it was worth a shot.
"My help?" Raphael repeated looking intrigued 'For what?" Nico told him all about the case, the treaty, the potential war etc.
"I figured since you and the other downworlders seem to share a mutual dislike for the shadowhunters maybe you can help us in a potential war, or at least give me some information I can use against them." Nico implored. The vampire brought his hand up to his chin and looked away staring at a spot in the wall intensely.
"Interesting, now there is proof to the notion that the clave will not rest until they have authority over every race on this planet." The vampire mused. "However I'm afraid I can't help you, because it goes against the accords." Nico frowned he expected as much.
"Is there anything you can offer me?" Nico pleaded. The vampire just shook his head like he really didn't care one way or another.
"You can try seeking help from Praetor Lupus, or maybe even pleading to the clave to be added to the accords other than that there's nothing I can do." Raphael said dismissively. Nico nodded thinking about the advice he was given.
"Won't adding us to the accords mean that we are under the clave?" Nico asked. Raphael scowled.
"Technically yes, but I imagine your gods and the angels having an argument about that." He mused with a smile. Nico looked away wondering some more.
"Thanks." Nico offered truthfully. Raphael just gave him a nod and a hard look.
'Good luck, and if a war does break out don't let the shadowhunters forget it." The vampire ordered with a sadistic grin. Nico's expression didn't change as he turned to walk out on a new venture.
"Are you sure about this Nico?' Jason asked carefully as they made their way to the Praetor house. Nico originally wasn't going to try and seek out this werewolf police force, but he overheard his father talking about how the new treaty with the angels wasn't going well.
"Are you kidding?" Nico asked glancing at Jason out of the corner of his eye.
"These people will worship you. A real life roman gracing them with his presence and a Son of Jupiter to boot." Nico smirked making fun of Jason's nervousness.
"I guess." Jason sighed. "I just don't like the idea of mixing with the other pantheons. Between Camp Half-blood and the legion I really don't think we need any more help in this." Jason admitted. Nico shrugged.
"Maybe your right, but these people could give us valuable information." Nico insisted as they walked up to the entrance.
"Who are you? And what is your business?" asked the buff guard at the door.
"We need to talk to Praetor Scott is he here?" Nico asked ignoring the guard's questions. The guard's eyes narrowed and he studied the pair with interest.
"Do you have an appointment?" the guard asked.
"No, but Raphael sent us." Nico said with a sigh his impatience starting to get the better of him. The guard's mouth twisted into a snarl.
'What does that filthy parasite want? If it is about rogue vampires we have it taken care of." The guard insisted he sniffed the air and looked at the two strangely. "What are you two anyway?" Nico opened his mouth to speak but Jason interrupted him stepping forward.
"Excuse me sir, I'm Jason Grace son of Jupiter and consul to demigods. We have urgent matters of war we need to discuss with your leader." Jason announced proudly brandishing his SPQR tattoo. The guard swallowed uneasily.
"Alright then I'll lead you there." He relented. Nico gave Jason a grin while the latter just shook his head in annoyance.
"Ah half-bloods. It's been a while." Woosley Scott drawled as the pair introduced themselves. "Former Praetor of New Rome*. It's an honor. I hope my efforts of modeling my organization after the great Roman empire are up to your standards." He said with a bow toward Jason. Jason nodded in approval.
"It is a good representation of Rome. However, we are here for other matters." Jason replied gesturing to Nico to talk. Nico told the werewolf everything from the Clave's aggression to what Raphael told him, to the camps defenses and plans.
'Raphael told me that you help out downworlders who need it. Even though we aren't downworlders we share a mutual dislike for the clave, and could use your help. We thought that since you model your brotherhood after Rome, you may wish to help save the remnants of it." Nico implored. The werewolf was quiet, and twisted his praetor coin in his fingers as he gazed out the window of his office.
'It is true that we share no love for the Nephilim. Praetor Lupus functions outside the jurisdiction of the accords, so technically we can help." He mused. Jason and Nico straightened in their seats.
"Unfortunately you are not downworlders. Helping you isn't part of our mission, but I may be able to convince my order to help you." He stated thoughtfully looking at the two in turn. "Our mission is to help young downworlders to assimilate to life as a vampire, werewolf, etc. Mostly so the Clave doesn't come after them. Even though you don't follow under our law, what the clave is doing is unjustified and I will want to help you if a war is to break out. It would be an honor to serve by a real life roman legion." Woosley relented. The two half-bloods stood up.
"Thank you sir your help is very much appreciated." Jason said offering his hand. Praetor Scott took it gladly. Nico stood up and shook the man as well.
"Let us hope you don't need our help." The werewolf called as they walked out.
A/N-
1*- that was a reference to how Hades kidnapped Persephone
2*- So I Have this headcanon that at the end of Boo Frank & Reyna will be Praetors and Jason will just be a floater in between camps like Nico and maybe Percy.
Just a warning school has started up again which = late updates. I'll try not to go as long as an update as last semester but we'll see cuz school comes first. In the meantime you should check out my collection of pjato one-shots called "The Treasury of Demigodtales" Thanks for the R&R ya'll are awesome! :D