Percy sighed and turned to face Nico.
Nico was standing in the darkest corner of the room clutching his Stygian sword as though expecting an ambush any moment . Judging by his position and his heavy panting, there was no doubt in Percy's mind that Nico had just shadow-travelled inside the boy's locker room and was definitely in some huge trouble. After making sure that they would not be heard or seen, Percy hurried towards him, automatically tightening his grip on riptide, kept in his pocket and said, " What. did. you. do. now?", uttering each word distinctly.
Nico cowered, sensing his cousin's obvious annoyance. "Look, that's not important right now. What you need to know is that Midas has rallied a group of ghosts against me. And now he has teamed up with Napoleon, and is terrorizing the tree nymphs at Central Park in my absence."
"What?!" Percy nearly shouted, " But how did they manage to escape the underworld?"
" I promise I will explain everything later. But right now, can you please help me?" Nico asked.
Percy nodded. Nico, looking somewhat relieved, replied, " We should probably take Annabeth with us."
" Of course, lets go", Percy replied. Percy was glad that gym was his last class of the day and that he had managed to 'not screw up his very first day'.He would have to find some good excuse to explain his sudden disappearance. Together, they shadow-travelled in a dark alley beside Annabeth's hostel.
Nico swayed dangerously, "So tired...sleepy.."
"Nico! we have to hurry!" yelled Percy, shaking him.
" Right!" Nico snapped out of his trance and they hurried towards the hostel with the sun blaring in their eyes and Percy supporting almost his entire weight. They rushed up the stairs and towards Annabeth's dorm.
"Annabeth, open up!" said Percy, knocking the door with one hand while firmly gripping Nico's arm with the other.
"Coming!" replied a muffled voice from beyond the door. It opened moments later to reveal Annabeth clutching a thick book under her arms.
"Nico, you look dead on your feet." she stated, matter of factly.
" Interesting phrase, that-" began Nico.
" That's not important." interrupted Percy.
After hearing the entire situation, Annabeth hunted for her dagger and her Yankee's cap amid the heaps of notes and designs, and ambrosia (just in case), some of which she gave to Nico who looked considerably better. A partially unconscious demigod can only be a major drawback ( You can't blame her for thinking like that, after all, she is the daughter of the Goddess of battle strategy). She was once again glad, that she was able to secure an entire dorm for herself without having to share. Together, they ran out of the building and out on the streets, shoving past the mortals and ignoring their cries of outrage, as a few of them tumbled to the ground. They reached the park in a few minutes and their mouths opened in a collective gasp.
" Holy Zeus!" cursed Annabeth, clutching at the stitch on her side and taking in the scene before her.
While the rest of New York was immersed in a blazing sun, a dark- almost black- cloud hovered over the park, seemingly absorbing the colors from the surroundings. Annabeth shivered as a gust of chilly wind hit her. About a hundred ghosts were standing in the middle of the park, some twenty yards away, clad in outfits belonging to various era. The nymphs were nowhere in sight, but there were stones of various sizes lying haphazardly on the ground, probably their attempt at defense. The ghosts were listening intently to their leader- King Midas, Annabeth realized- who was giving, what looked like a pre-war, boost up speech. She caught various phrases like "betrayed", " defend our honor" and "put it right". She did not fail to notice that Nico paled even more and shot nervous glances at Percy and her.
"Lets not waste any time. We have some ghost butt to kick." said Percy. They drew their weapons as one and charged. Annabeth wore her cap and disappeared behind the enemy lines, stabbing random, unsuspecting ghosts. Percy, with his Achilles heel, weaved in and out, slashing riptide, a weapon of pure destruction, without so much as a scratch on himself. The ghosts were somewhat hesitant to attack Nico, who used it as an advantage. He kept them at bay, using his sword, and occasionally, he waved his hand, causing a crack to appear on the ground beneath a ghost and making it disappear.
" Do not hesitate to attack him!" commanded Midas, "He may be the son of our master, but he is also a betrayer! A traitor! A good-for-nothing -" whatever he was about to say was cut short by Nico, who charged him with his sword and silenced him for good. Nico was fighting with a new vigor, and they were quick to send the remaining ghosts back to the underworld.
Slowly, the unnatural darkness gave way to the late afternoon sun, and the grass and the trees regained their color, the leaves swaying lazily. And the chilly winds was replaced by a warm atmosphere. They collapsed on the grass, their breathing heavy. Once their heartbeats had calmed down, Annabeth turned to Nico, her eyes narrowing suspiciously, " Nico, tell me honestly, what did you do? Why were they calling you a traitor?"
" Yeah, even I noticed it. What in the name of Hades was that?" Percy piqued in.
" I ...uh" spluttered Nico, without meeting their eyes, " I am really,really tired. Maybe tomorrow?". He nervously fidgeted with his skull ring.
"No!" cried Percy and Annabeth in unison.
"Oh alright! listen then..." Nico gave in to their pointed glares.