Okay, I'm gonna be honest, here. This is my favorite part. I'm bringing in some OCs here. I personally think they're the best people ever, but it's up to you all. Don't forget to rate and review.
Oh, and one more thing- I'm not gonna restate the obvious. I'm not Rick. Deal.
Part Three
He was cold.
He hadn't thought in the heat of the moment to grab his jacket. He had just been so focused on getting out.
He was tired.
He hadn't gotten a good nights sleep since he'd ran out. Between the cold, rusty fire escapes, and monster attacks, it hadn't exactly added up to be the perfect night.
He was hungry.
He hadn't eaten anything since lunch the day he had left. He could have gone back and gotten some food, but his pride wouldn't let him.
He was hurt.
Shortly after arriving, a hellhound bounded up and surprised him, ripping open his arm before he managed to get his sword out and kill it. He didn't have any necter or ambrosia, so he just bound it and continued on, hurt, angry, and alone.
Nico di Angelo was all of these things and more.
And he was lost.
When he stormed out of the apartment, he'd just wanted to get as far away from Percy as possible, not caring where he ended up. He just wen to the first place that came to his mind, not caring if he knew his way around or not.
That's how Nico di Angelo ended up wandering around the darkened streets of Seattle, Washington, 2,852 miles from New York, cold, tired, hungry, and hurt.
Common sense told him to shadow travel back to Percy's apartment, or even back to New York, but he was to tired. If he was in a better frame of mind, he probably could have played siege for a week over something so small, but a combination of loneliness and pure misery forced the young hero to accept it.
For once, Percy was right.
He needed a friend.
Not even a friend. Just someone. Someone he could run to when he fought with Percy or someone else. Someone who wen to school with him, someone he didn't grow up with or go on a quest with. Someone who wasn't his family or an evil ghost king seeking to rise from the Underworld.
When he first admitted to himself that he needed someone after Bianca died, he thought that Percy could be it. He would be enough. Percy could be everything for him. He didn't need anyone else. Just Percy, with hints of Hazel and Thalia.
And just like a true hero, Percy rose up and surpassed the expectations. Percy was everything to Nico and he wanted so badly to go home to New York. But Nico finally accepted that Percy couldn't always be everything for him. He needed a friend.
But all that could be resolved when he got back to New York.
He needed a good nights rest. Then he would call Percy in the morning.
Nico wandered through the city of Seattle, looking for a quiet place to just drop everything at the door and collapse into an exhausted sleep. Finally, he found an empty warehouse. Nico sighed in relief, shoulders drooping and obsidian eyes closing just for a moment.
But a moment was all that it took.
Suddenly the Ghost King was tackled by a flock of harpies. They tore into his clothes and skin, shrieking loudly. Yelling in pain and anger, Nico swung his Stygian iron sword aimlessly into the air. He felt it make contact with a few of the harpies, evaporating them into golden dust. The harpies flew back in a flurry of feathers, shrieking fit to wake the dead.
Hehe. Wake the dead.
Nico cursed his ADHD brain and attempted fend them off while wiping the bloody sweat from his brow. Suddenly, one of the harpies dove down and bit his hand, making him drop the sword. In a flash, all of the harpies converged upon him once again with renewed vigor. The young hero attempted to smack them away, but the harpies soon forced him to the ground.
This is it, Nico thought, mildly surprised, I'm going to die.
Just then, Nico heard a familiar sound-the sound of many arrows being loosed from a bow, one after the other. The harpies began shrieking even louder (if that were possible) as the flock disappeared one by one in a shower of feathers and gold dust. Finally, they were all gone.
Nico di Angelo lay in a pool of blood on the pavement, in the middle of a ring of feathers and dust. Distantly, he heard voices and footsteps approach him.
"Whoa, he looks bad," said a boy's voice. He had a strange accent, like a British accent, but Americanized.
"Tell me about it," agreed another voice, a girl's now. "D'you think he's still alive?"
"He's breathing, ain't he?" The first voice countered. Out of the corner of his eye, Nico could see the fuzzy shapes of two children about his age, both with blonde hair and blue eyes. The both had bows strung across their backs, complete with full quivers of celestial bronze-tipped arrows, and the boy had a long bronze Bowie knife strapped to his belt. The boy crouched next to him. "Don't you worry there, mate," he said as Nico's eyes began to close. "We'll take care of ya."
***************LINEBREAK****************
Nico woke to the smell of sausage, sharp autumn sun streaming through a window, and the sound of a busy city.
For a moment, Nico felt a thrill of wild hope. He was home! That was Percy whistling as he cooked breakfast for the two of them on their last day of break, and soon, he would come into Nico's room, singing Taylor Swift way off-key to give Nico a rude awakening. Then the son of the Lord of the Dead took stock in his surroundings, and the hope he harbored was smothered.
He was lying on a couch in a simple warehouse, walls and floor sparsely decorated. There was a portable solar oven in the center of the room as well, sitting in a patch of sunlight, from which the smell of sausage was emanating. And sitting in front of two backpacks were the two people he had seen right before he passed out. His sword was lying a little ways behind them on the floor. Quickly, Nico devised a plan. Then, slowly and quietly, he gathered shadows around himself and rose up off the couch. He began picking his way to the sword, grimacing a little at the soreness in his body, but careful not to make a sound. He froze as the two people began talking.
"Looks like we're all outta ambrosia and nectar," sighed the girl, digging through her bag. She was pretty enough, with her straight blonde hair cut into layers and resting on her upper back. Her eyes were a soft sky blue, mild and inviting. The boy next to her stopped his whistling to reply.
"Yeah," he said in his strange accent, digging through his own pack. He too had straight blonde hair, though his was short and spiky, sticking straight up as though styled with gel into place. His eyes were a darker blue, bright and cheerful, with a hint of carefree mischief. "It's amazing it lasted this long," he continued, as Nico stooped to pick up his sword, still unnoticed. "I wonder if-" But what he wondered, they would never find out. At that moment, three things happened. One Nico pressed his sword blade to the girl's neck, dropping his shadows to become visible. Two, the girl stiffened, and even though he hadn't been looking at her and she hadn't been speaking, the boy looked up at her as if sensing her sudden tension. And three, upon seeing the danger his companion was in, the boy drew his bow and notched an arrow so fluently and quickly it would have put even the best quick draw cowboy to shame.
"Put the sword down," he ordered, arrow pointing steadily at Nico's heart.
"Who are you?" demanded Nico, blade pressing harder against the neck of the girl.
"Put the sword down and I'll tell ya," said the boy, bow steady.
"No." Nico pressed the flat of the blade even harder. In response the bowstring tightened. "Who are you? Why am I here?"
"Hurt her and I'll kill you," said the boy, blue eyes fixed on Nico steadily, all banter gone. "Put the sword down, and I'll put the bow down, and we can chat all civil-like around the camp for brekky, eh, mate?" This was said jovially enough, but Nico could see the death threat and the thinly veiled panic in the boys eyes. The blue spheres promised a horrible death if his companion was harmed, the same look Nico gave anyone who threatened his family. Suddenly, Nico connected the dots; blonde hair, blue eyes, similar age and build- They're siblings, Nico realized. He was threatening this boy's sister. Immediately he dropped his sword, and moved away from the girl to the opposite side of the solar oven. He sat down and set the sword on the ground, keeping his eyes on the boy's as he pushed the sword away from himself. Reassured, the boy just as hastily unstrung his bow and moved to look over his sister. When he was confident that she was unhurt, he turned to Nico.
"Sorry about pointing at ya, mate," he said, sticking out his hand, which Nico took. "I'm Cass Easte, and this here's my kid sister Emmie." He jerked a thumb in the girl's direction. She smiled and shook his hand.
"G'day," she said. Her voice had the same strange accent, but with a more musical quality. Emmie went back to fixing breakfast as Cass continued.
"We were coming back to base when we saw ya out front shouting fit to raise Hades and waving that sharp black stick of yours. You were doing a blimey good job on your own there, mate, but ya were going down and me an' Em here decided we'd help out. Just in time too, by the looks of ya when we got there. We figured you were a demigod by the way those birds were hailing on ya, so we combined our healing powers with our last bit of nectar and ambrosia and patched ya up best we could. Now the only question is- who are you, whose kid are ya, and what are ya doin' way out here?" Cass paused, looking thoughtful. "Well, technically that's three questions, but whatever. We're twins of Apollo, by the way," he added as Emmie passed out breakfast.
Nico bit eagerly into the food. He moaned in pleasure. It wasn't Percy's but it was good enough. He began eating with vigor. Cass and Emmie watched him with amusement. "How long's it been since ya've eaten, mate?" Emmie asked.
Nico thought as he swallowed. "Not since noon Friday," he said. "So... two and a half days? Give or take." He continued to eat. After three minutes, he finally sat back, full and almost content.
The Easte siblings looked at him curiously. "So you're gonna tell us who ya are now, right?" Emmie asked.
"Yeah," chimed Cass, grinning. "'Cause right now, we're just callin' ya 'Dead Meat'." Emmie smacked him as Nico laughed. He stood and brushed his hands off on his jeans.
"I'm Nico di Angelo," he said, sweeping the twins a bow. "Son of Hades."
The Apollo twins' sky-blue eyes widened. "So you're a Big Three kid?" Emmie asked, awed. Nico nodded.
"Is that why so many harpies were after ya?" asked Cass. Nico nodded again, sitting down. Cass whistled. "So... whatcha doin' in Seattle?"
Nico looked embarrassed. "Nothing heroic. I... I had a fight with my cousin, and ran away. I got lost and was too tired to go home, so I wandered around here for awhile and nearly got myself killed until you both showed up and saved me." He met their eyes. "Thank you."
The twins shrugged. Cass asked, "So where ya from? We know our way around, we could help ya get back." Emmie nodded. Nico shook his head.
"I don't think you could help me," he said, "I'm from New York."
Cass's jaw dropped. Confused, Emmie asked, "How'd ya get here then?"
"Shadow-travel," explained Nico, "I can become shadow and go where ever I want."
"So why don't ya go home?" asked Cass.
"Not enough energy," replied Nico. "It takes a lot out of you, so I don't do it that often." The twins nodded their understanding. "So how did you both end up here," asked Nico, changing the subject. "I noticed the accent."
The siblings grinned. "We're from Australia, mate," explained Cass. "When we turned thirteen, Apollo claimed us and gave us two tickets to Seattle, bows and arrows, some supplies, and nectar and ambrosia."
Emmie picked up the story. "He told us to get to Seattle and wait for the boy from the East. Dad said he would lead us home." Cass nodded in agreement.
Nico smiled. "Well, wait no longer," he said. "I'm from the East, from a place called Camp Half-Blood. It's a safe place for demigods. A lot of your brothers and sisters are there already."
"Really?" asked Emmie, excited. Nico nodded.
"Awesome!" exclaimed Cass. "Now all that's left is to find a ride East!" The aptly named Eastes looked at Nico expectantly. He frowned.
"I suppose..." he said hesitantly, "I can shadow-travel us there. This afternoon, if we're lucky." The sun twins cheered. Emmie's blue eyes sparkled with excitement.
"I have to pack!" she exclaimed, rushing off with the two backpacks. Cass and Nico watched in amusement as she dashed around the warehouse, gathering belongings.
"I really am sorry about threatening you earlier," Cass said quietly. "I just don't know what I'd do without her." His eyes followed Emmie as she dashed around the warehouse. Nico shrugged.
"It's okay," he said. "I'm sorry for threatening her. I didn't realize she was your sister. I never would have threatened her if I knew." At Cass's questioning look, he explained. "I have a soft spot for sisters. I had two."
Cass caught the past tense. "Had?"
Nico nodded. "One-my half-sister Hazel-lives in California now. The other-my blood sister-she... she died on a quest when I was ten." Nico finished quietly. Cass looked at the son of Hades in horror.
"I'm so sorry, Nico," he said softly. "I can't imagine life without my sister." A few moments passed in silence. Then-"What was her name?"
"Bianca," Nico whispered, eyes unfocused. "She was twelve." Cass looked remorseful.
"I'm sorry," he said again. Nico shot him a small smile.
"Thanks." The boys sat in a comfortable silence for a few more seconds before Cass spoke again.
"So who do you live with in New York?" he asked. "Or do you live at camp?"
Nico smiled. "After Bianca died, I kinda ran around on my own," he said. "Then last summer my dad decided that I couldn't live like that anymore. He said I had to find a place." He scowled at the memory. "But my wonderful idiot of a cousin stood up for me. He took me in, forgave me for everything, gave me a place and basically everything else." Nico smiled fondly. "He took me under his wing, taught me everything he knew. And he never wanted anything back." The smiled slipped from the demigods face. "And then one day he told me the truth about something, and he asked me to try to improve because he was worried about me. And I got angry at him. We fought and I ran away." Nico scowled again, this time at himself. "He asked me to do one thing-just one-an I couldn't do it." The young hero lapsed into silence.
"D'you think he's still mad at ya?" asked Cass.
Nico thought. "No," he said finally, drawing his knees up to his chest. "He probably forgave me as soon as I walked out the door. Guy doesn't know how to stay angry." He rested his chin on he knees, obsidian eyes looking far off into the distance. "He's probably worried sick right now," murmured Nico.
"This cousin of yours sounds like a great guy," Cass observed. "What's his name?"
"Percy Jackson," said Nico, looking at Cass and smiling. "He's the best person I know."
Cass laughed. "So the two of ya are close, then, huh?"
Nico, simply looked at Cass. "Can I ask you something?"
"Just did, but go ahead anyway."
"Are you close to Emmie?"
The question caught Cass by surprise. He nodded. "So close that the very mention of her hurting, or lost, or in trouble, or anything make you feel the same way and want to do anything to change it?" Nico pressed. Cass nodded again. "You love her that much?" Nico demanded. Cass nodded for a third time.
"I'd do anything for her."
"And she'd do anything for you."
"Yeah," Cass said, smiling slightly.
Nico shrugged. "There's your answer. That's the way I feel about my family, and Percy's both my cousin and my brother. So if that's what close means, then," he offered another shrug. "Yeah. Yeah, we're pretty close."
The conversation lapsed again. A minute passed in comfortable silence for the boys. Suddenly, the still was broken.
"Thank you."
Cass looked at the son of Hades in surprise. "For what?"
Nico shrugged. "For everything. For healing and saving me. For feeding me, for not killing me." His obsidian orbs found the Aussie's sky blue ones. "But mostly for listening. I've never told anyone that. not even Percy. It was nice to get it off my chest." He gave Cass a small smile. "So thank you. For listening."
Cass smiled in return. "Thanks for telling me," he responded. "After all, what are friends for?"
Nico stiffened in startled surprise. He turned to face Cass, but before he could speak, Emmie bounced back to the pair, throwing down two newly packed bags and looking at Nico eagerly. "Tell us about camp," she demanded, eyes shining. Cass nodded in agreement.
"What do you want to know?" asked Nico, leaning back on his arms. The twins glanced at each other before speaking in harmony.
"Everything."
So Nico told them.
He told them about the cabins and the talents and the fireworks and the training and Capture the Flag. He described the saytrs and the nymphs and Chiron and the other centaurs. He told them of the gods, and the monsters, of the magic, and of Mr. D. He described the Oracle, and the Hunters of Artemis, and the quests, and the wars that they had fought as a camp. He mentioned a little about the treaty and the other camp, and of their Roman cousins there. Yet Nico mostly told them of the people, their brothers and sisters, and his friends and cousins. He answered their questions and laughed at their wonder.
His voice was hoarse when he finally stopped for lunch. Emmie and Cass chatted as they fixed sandwiches, telling him of their life in Australia and they're family and friends there, wisely letting Nico rest his voice. They had just begun eating when there was a sudden banging on the door of the warehouse. The three demigods tensed, fully aware that they were trapped and out of godly food to cure their injuries. They stayed silent, the twins soundlessly notching arrows and Nico reaching for his sword. The banging continued, voices coming from outside, unintelligible. As one, the demigods rose to face the door, Cass and Emmie flanking Nico, who stood with his sword at the ready.
Suddenly the door flew open, and standing in the noonday sun were a dozen or so girls, ages ten to sixteen, dressed in silver tunics and armed with bows and daggers, arrowed notched and at the ready.
And leading the group of girls was a young woman of about fifteen or sixteen, with spiky, punk-styled hair and electric blue eyes.
"Alright," shouted Thalia Grace, daughter of Zeus, brandishing her spear. "Where is he?"
Nico stared at her in shock as Cass demanded, "Who are ya, and who in Hades are ya yellin' about?"
But Thalia paid no attention to him. She spotted Nico, and a look of relieved anger crossed her face. She dropped her spear and ran to the demigod, who lowered his sword and steeled himself for what he knew was coming.
All the bows in the room were trained on the cousins, ready to fire at any signal. All of them tightened as Thalia neared Nico, who tensed, standing rock still for Thalia. Just as it seemed that Thalia was about to envelop the younger demigod in a tight bear hug, she suddenly reeled back and swung hard with her right fist, punching Nico across the jaw. Despite the fact that he'd been prepared for the blow, Nico's head still snapped back, his hand coming up to hold his cheek. He gave her a look that was half-annoyed, half-sheepish. She glared at him.
"That was for worrying me, jerk," she snarled, blue eyes flashing with worry and anger. Then she squashed him into her arms in a bone crushing hug. Nico's arms came up and he hugged her back just as tight. They stayed like that for a few minutes before Cass cleared his throat, bow still notched and pointed at Thalia. Thalia released Nico, stepping back and frowning at the two demigods standing beside her cousin. They frowned at her, never lowering their bows.
"Who's this?" chorused Cass and Thalia, glaring at each other. Nico turned to his new companions.
"At ease, guys," he said, then turned to Thalia. "Call off your friends."
"I will if you tell me who they are," she said, eyeing the arrows with distrust. Nico sighed.
"Thalia, meet Cass and Emmie Easte, twins of Apollo." He pointed to each in turn. "They saved my life."
At once, Thalia's expression became friendly. She smiled at the siblings then turned to face her Hunters. "Bows down, girls. Any friends of Nico's are friends of ours. Penelope, that means you." The Hunters reluctantly lowered their bows. Nico faced the twins.
"Emmie, Cass-this is my cousin Thalia Grace, daughter of Zeus."
"The one you fought with?" asked Emmie curiously.
"Ah...no," Nico said, "That was Percy. This is the one that leads the Hunters."
"Oh," Emmie said, lowering her bow. "Cool." She nudged her brother. "Our new friend is connected."
Cass didn't lower his bow. "Why'd she punch ya if she's your cousin?" he demanded.
"Because that's the only way she knows how to show affection," Nico deadpanned. Thalia punched him in the arm. "Ow!" he exclaimed, rubbing his arm. "What'd I do now?"
"Ignore him, Cass," Thalia said. "My cousin's a dope." There was an indignant "Hey!" from Nico, but Thalia ignored him and continued on. "You can put your bow down, little nephew, I won't hurt him too badly. At least," she added, grinning, "Not more than he deserves." Cass grinned and lowered his bow.
"Nephew?" asked Nico.
"Apollo's, like, my half-brother, Corpse Breath," Thalia said, rolling her eyes. "All his kids are technically my nieces and nephews." She smiled at the Eastes. "I want to thank you for saving my cousin," she said seriously. "He may be an idiot, but he's my baby cousin, nonetheless."
The siblings smiled at Nico's indignant look and bowed to Thalia. "Our pleasure," they said, voices harmonizing.
Thalia cocked her head. "Do they do that a lot?" she asked Nico, still looking at the siblings.
"Yup." He smiled, but the smile slipped from his face as Thalia turned to look at him, her face becoming murderous. Nico gulped.
"Easy, Thals," he said, backing away. The daughter of Zeus's nostrils flared.
"Easy? Easy? The whole family went out of their minds with worry and you want me to take it easy!?" she howled. The Hunters ushered the twins back a few feet. Nico tightened his grip on his sword. "Do you have any idea what we went through this weekend?" Thalia shouted. "Hazel nearly went mad with worry, after what happened with Gaea, Jason had patrols out all weekend, Piper was charmspeaking every mortal officer she could, and Annabeth and Leo worked all day Saturday on a locator for you!" Nico looked down in shame, but Thalia was far from done. "I had the Hunter looking everywhere, di Angelo-everywhere. We were all worried sick! You're a powerful demigod, stupid! Monsters flock to you, too, not just to Percy and I." Nico avoided Thalia's eyes as she paused for breath. "But that's not even close to the worst part," Thalia continued, her voice lowering. "I can't even begin to tell you what you did to Percy." Nico flinched. "He looked everywhere for you, Nico, and when he couldn't find you, he freaked. He didn't know where you'd gone, or if you were hurt or alive. He didn't dare call you because you might be sleeping or injured and he was worried about monsters. He called in every favor anyone owed him; Calypso, sea creatures, saytrs, even Rachel. He called out Rachel for you, di Angelo! Percy even asked Hermes to keep an eye out for you! He asked the Oracle and a god to look for you!" Thalia's voice had risen again. Everyone watched in silence as Thalia yelled at Nico, sensing that interference would be deadly. Lightning was crackling around Thalia, and there was the distinct buzz of static and the crisp smell of burnt ozone in the air. Nico still wouldn't meet Thalia's eyes. "I don't think he's slept since Friday, and I know for a fact he only eats when Annabeth makes him!" Tears began to gather in her blue eyes. "He blames himself, you know, for you running away. I don't think he could handle the news if you were actually dead, Nico, I think he'd break." Thalia's voice was now a whisper. "And I can't lose two of my brothers at once, Nico, I just can't." Her voice broke. Thalia collected herself and smiled tearfully at Nico. "But you're okay, and I just had to yell at you because Percy won't-stupid Kelp Head-and you deserve it, but... gods, we were so worried!" She looked at Nico, electric blue eyes hardening. Nico raised his eyes sheepishly to hers, black orbs apologetic. "What do you have to say for yourself?" Thalia demanded.
"Um...Sorry?" Nico said hopefully, trying for a disarming smile. His face probably said pleasepleaseplease don't kill me great and powerful Thalia.
Thalia grinned. "You learned that from Percy, didn't you?"
Nico smirked. "Yup."
The cousins laughed and embraced. The Easte twins watched in confusion. Emmie looked at the Hunter next to her for an explanation. The Hunter girl shrugged. "No one really understands The Cousins," she said as though the two words were a title. "If you get them all alone, they're all serious and kick-Hades-you know, super powerful and all that jazz-but put them together and they start trying to kill each other. I mean, they make a great team, but they can't stand each other. Their all too much alike it kills them. Then you insult one of them and the other two go Fury-trying to kill you. If you threaten or hurt one of them, you are punishable by death. Their as soft as dryads when it comes to their families."
"What d'ya mean, 'families'," Cass asked, still watching the strange reunion.
"She means anyone they consider close enough to be family," another Hunter said. "If Thalia wasn't our leader, we'd have died so many times because of an insult to her cousins or brother."
"Is Percy her brother?"
The Hunters laughed. Thalia and Nico came up to the group with the Eastes backpacks. "What's so funny," asked Thalia curiously.
Emmie shrugged. "We don't know. Cass asked if Percy was your brother and-" she never got to finish, because Thalia and Nico glanced at each other and began laughing along side the Hunters. "What?" snapped Emmie, angry now. "Why is this funny?"
"It just is," chuckled Nico. "Thalia and and Percy love each other, but they are polar opposites at just about everything. Not to mention cousins."
Cass frowned. "Then who's your brother?"
"Jason Grace, praetor of New Rome," Thalia replied, still giggling. "Now, are you ready to go?"
******************LINEBREAK*******************
The trip back to New York was mostly uneventful. The Hunters could get anywhere by focusing on that location and tapping their silver bracelets, but since Cass, Nico, and Emmie obviously didn't have one, they used a different form of travel.
"Lady Artemis's moon chariot," declared Thalia proudly. "As long as there's a moon in the sky, we can go anywhere, any direction."
On the way back to New York, Nico amused Cass, Emmie, and the newer Hunters with the timeless classic of Thalia's first driving experience. Finally though, the combination of the stress of heights and the laughter proved to be too much for Thalia, and she ordered silence for the rest of the ride.
Cass and Emmie were practically bouncing with excitement as the chariot came to a halt on an abandoned country road just off a strawberry farm. The Eastes looked around in confusion as Thalia gave Penelope instructions for the rest of the Hunters and the chariot. Nico was looking nervously at the large pine at the crest of the hill in front of them. Cass noticed this and sidled over to the son of Hades.
"Relax, mate," he whispered, just loud enough for only Nico to hear him. "It'll be just like old times soon. You'll see. Your cousins love ya too much to stay mad."
Nico shot him a grateful smile as Thalia turned away from the Hunters and started up the hill. "Okay, kiddos," she said, turning back to them. "Let's go tell Chiron that the prodigal son has returned."
****************LINEBREAK***********************
Apparently, thought Cass, as he walked through Camp Half-Blood, The Cousins are quite popular.
Campers flocked to the pair of dark-haired demigods, hugging them and chattering excitedly. Two camper shoved their way forward, followed by a centaur. The two demigods-one a strikingly beautiful young woman, the other a short Hispanic boy with curly hair and wicked smile-hugged Nico with a vigor that none of the others had possessed. To Cass's surprise, Nico actually hugged them back, and Cass felt a twinge of jealousy in his chest that Nico felt so close to these demigods as to hug them like they were old friends.
"Piper!" Nico exclaimed, smiling. "Leo!" He squeezed the boy tightly, letting go quickly.
"Nico! Dónde estaba usted, amigo?" asked Leo.
Nico shook his head. "Tell you later," he replied, looking around. "Where's my cousin?" Leo pointed towards a big plantation styled house in the distance. Without another word, Nico dashed off in the direction of the Big House; Thalia, Piper, Leo, and the Eastes following him. Nico paused at the door, catching his breath. Then, the quietly opened the door and went inside, the others close behind. Everyone was silent as they followed Nico through the halls of the house. Nico seemed to know where he was going. The group followed him to a room with two couches and a glass table in the middle. On the table was a bowl of water, which seemed to be splashing around of it's own accord, but a closer inspection revealed that it was being controlled by one of the two people in the room.
One was a tall man, over six feet, with shaggy black hair and a strong, lean figure. From his profile, it was easy to tell that he was related to Nico and Thalia. What they could see of his face was tight and worried, but there were traces of laugh lines around his eyes, as though he laughed and smiled often. At the moment, however, there was no trace of a smile on his face, he kept glancing from the window to a cell phone on the table. The second woman, appeared to be the one who was controlling the water. She was blonde, with striking gray eyes. She was watching the water nervously, as though it might explode, occasionally glancing at the man. That's when Cass realized that the man was the one controlling the water. Just as this registered to Cass, the blonde glanced over at them and gasped as she saw Nico. The small noise made the man turn sharply, a glowing bronze sword elongating in his hands. His sea green eyes scanned them quickly, falling on Nico. There was a rapid flicker of emotions in the depths of his gaze, but before they could be read, the man's face became blank and impassive. He leaned back against the window and looked at Nico, arching an eyebrow sarcastically as if to say So you've come back, have you? Nico cleared his throat nervously, unsure how to react to this Percy. He tried for a greeting.
"Hey, Perce," he said quietly. Percy remained expressionless. Green eyes raked the younger demigods body, searching. Nico continued. "I just want to let you know that..." Nico hesitated. "That I was wrong, you were right, and I'm really, really sorry for running. That was stupid. Please don't be mad," he finished in a rush, obsidian eyes wide.
Percy said nothing, eyes continuing the silent search, face betraying nothing. Finally, the searching eyes stopped, and the hero's green orbs lock onto Nico's. Nico waited.
Percy said nothing.
Nico could stand it no longer. Anything was better than this. "Well, do something!" he demanded.
As soon as the words left his mouth, the water rose from the bowl on the table. It flew across the room and soaked Nico, leaving him spluttering in a puddle of water. Everyone's eyes were wide as they watched Percy kick off from the wall and walk over to Nico. Percy stretched out a hand, and Nico flinched away. Percy stopped for a moment, then reached out again to touch Nico's cheek lightly, right where Thalia had hit him. As they watched, the beginnings of a blue and black bruise faded. Percy then touched Nico's injured side, and Nico's shoulders drooped a little from relief. Without speaking, Percy reached out and healed every one of his cousins wounds. Finally, Percy stepped back and regard his cousin with a solemn gaze. Percy tilted his head and looked at Nico who nodded and cocked a shoulder in response. Percy reached out and ruffled Nico's unruly dark hair and suddenly-Nico was dry. Percy raised an eyebrow and rolled his eyes to Thalia, then back at Nico.
"She already yell at you?" he asked. Emmie jerked in surprise at his voice. It was deep, yet not deep. Rhythmic, but not musical. It was like the waves against the shore; steady, strong, and dependable.
Nico nodded. "Nearly killed me," he said, smiling.
Percy smiled. "Well, don't do it again, okay? Otherwise you'll change sides."
This made no sense to any one else in the room, but Nico nodded as if he understood. Percy hugged his cousin and for the first time since he'd run away, Nico relaxed. He squeezed Percy fiercely. Percy let go Nico, but kept an arm around his shoulders. He looked at the Eastes curiously. "Who's this?"
"Cass and Emmie Easte, twins of Apollo," Nico introduced them. "They saved my life back in Seattle."
"So that's where you were." Percy nodded slowly. "Makes sense." A look of confusion crossed his face. "Wait-no it doesn't." He looked at Nico in bewilderment. "Why Seattle?"
Nico laughed and Percy turned back to face the twins. Gratitude flooded his eyes. "Thanks for keeping my cousin safe," Percy said gratefully. "Let's introduce you two to Chiron."
******************LINEBREAK******************
The ride to school was normal.
Nico slept while Percy drove, downing coffee and muttering about how much he hated rush hour traffic. When they parked, Nico grabbed his bag and turned to face the school when he heard someone call his name. He turned, surprised to see a familiar blonde head bobbing towards him.
Cass Easte grinned as he jogged up to the son of Hades. "Hey, mate," he said casually. At Nico's confused look, he said. "Chiron said we had the option to go to school. I've never been to an American school before, so I said 'Why not?' Em's going t a private voice place down-city somewhere, but I thought I'd come here with you." He looked at the school. "Ready?"
Nico glanced back at Percy, who smiled and waved, not at all surprised to see Cass. Nico sent him a silent thank you with his eyes and smiled back as Percy joined another senior at the doors. Nico turned back to Cass.
"Yeah, I'm ready, mate."
Talking and laughing, Nico walked into Goode High School side by side with his new friend.
THE END!
Thank heaven, because that lasted forever!
Well, don't feel obligated, but please R&R, and I am always open to suggestions. I think I might thrown in Annabeth's family for the next one, what about it? I've a great idea for that. But you'll have to wait and read...
Love ya all!
Silva
PS- What did y'all think of my OCs? They're my first ones, so gimme feedback here!