A/N: I'm so so sorry I haven't updated in a while- things have been crazy.
To be fair, Aphrodite was a good driver. She fiercely demanded the road and drove faster than any mortal could fathom.
Nico couldn't quite look Will in the eyes, so he looked around the van instead. Not a sweet ride for the goddess of love but he digressed, maybe she didn't like pink Cadalacs and smooth limos. He guessed this was more practical.
Lou Ellen happily chatted to the goddess in the front, probably talking about a cute boy in camp and Will, with permanently pink cheeks looked out the window.
Nico sneaked a glance at him. He really really liked Will, but this was different to Percy. With Percy he felt like his world had no meaning without that boy. That beautiful brave boy.
Will was different, he couldn't wield a sword. He didn't believe everyone couldn't be saved. He didn't like the battle. But he was the light, and he took away Nico's darkness.
Nico didn't realise he was staring until the older boy turned and frowned.
'You okay?' He asked.
Nico blushed and nodded looking out the window quickly, trying to push his thoughts to anything but Will.
He could see out the corner of his eye Will look at him with a pained expression and returned his gaze to the window.
'Hey you two.' The goddess called. 'We'll be there in five.'
Nico had no idea what he was going to say to Zeus. He couldn't really just go up to him and be like 'yo Zeus where's Apollo.' He hoped Will had a better plan. That's if they even managed to get an audience with the God.
They stopped right outside the Empire State Building in a private parking space. So the Gods also have their own parking...
'Out ya get kiddies.' She smiled and the doors popped open. The kids slunk out and braced themselves against the sharp cold.
'Are you coming?' Lou Ellen asked looking back at the goddess wistfully.
'No my dear girl, if Zeus knows I helped you I might have a fate worse than Apollo! Bye!' She grinned, and her car dissolved in a puff of pink smoke and a few petals.
'Well that was interesting.' Will mumbled. Nico nodded.
'Olympus?' Lou Ellen asked.
'Olympus.' Nico agreed.
The three trudged inside the building, met with a very grateful gust of warm air.
There wasn't anything that impressive in there, just two sets of elevators and a few desks. Nico faltered. Did he just ask to go to Olympus? He was thankful when Lou Ellen steppe up to the desk.
'Olympus please.' She smiled.
'Olymp-who?' The guard frowned.
He was a stodgy middle aged black man with a too small uniform, making him look like e was chocking on his collar. He also had a pathetic stringy wig set on the top of his head.
'Olympus.' Lou said again. 'On the 600th floor.'
The guard looked flabbergasted.
'There ain't no 600 floor...'
Lou Ellen's smile didn't even falter.
'Save it.' She snapped and brought up her hand where a white mist gathered around her fist. Once the mist melted away, the guards poor excuse for a wig was clasped between her fingers.
'HEY!' The guard shouted patting his head. 'Fine, Gods all you kids demanding to get to damn Olympus.' He mumbled fumbling for a key tied to his belt.
'Go on.' He shrugged. He continued to mutter under his breath how he wasn't paid enough and this was ridiculous as he tried to rearrange his hair.
Lou smirked and took the key up to the elevator and inserted just above the button. There was a satisfying click and the doors swept open, revealing a beautiful golden interior. The trio stepped inside and the doors slid shut.
Nico pressed the button marked 600 and the elevator shot up. With mini lightning bolts gathering at the top of the elevator.
'Zeus is in a bad mood.' Will noted.
'Yah.' Lou Ellen agree hanging on.
The elevator rose at a steady pace, some tacky music playing in the background. In better times Nico would have joked Apollo picked the cheesy tune but then again, would he have even joked loud?
The elevator came to a halt and the doors swept open. Nico's jaw dropped open as he gazed out at the magnificent entrance to Olympus. The walls were pure gold and carved in the expensive metal was all the gods re acting out their greatest achievements.
There was Zeus, Hades and Poseidon cutting Kronos into tiny bits. Athena standing over new rome and Hermes aiding Zeus in the attack. As well as many others.
'Whoa.' Breathed Will. The three carefully wove their ways through the magical corridor unsure of where to go. The corridor led to a wide opening with a flowing fountain, the kind you'd find in Greece. There was a large door in front of them. Large enough that any god may easily walk through.
'I suppose this is the throne room.' Lou Ellen gulped.
'Do we just knock or...?' She asked, and as she did the doors flew open with a defeating crack.
Directly opposite about 50 metres away on a ginormous throne sat Zeus, bolts in hand and a face that made Mr D look like a baby puppy.
'Demigods!' He boomed. 'What do you think you're doing in my palace?'
Nico could feel himself shaking, he hoped it wasn't noticeable. He opened his mouth to speak but no sound came out. Zeus rose and walked over to the three, frozen in fear.
'I asked you a question!' He shouted, lightning zapping the walks and ceilings.
'Please Lord.' Will said, how did he sound so confident?
'We are on a quest to-'
'You half bloods and your quests. What is it this time huh? Look for Hera's lost magic belt?' He wiggled his fingers mockingly.
Only then did Nico notice Hera sitting in a throne next to Zeus, one leg over the other. She tutted and rolled her eyes.
'Please Lord Zeus. We're on a quest to find my fath- Apollo.' Will corrected.
'What do you want with that filth!' Zeus shouted.
Will flinched. Nico wanted to grab his hand, but he fought the urge.
'Please Zeus. He's been said to be in danger, Nico had a dream.' Lou Ellen piped in, her voice higher than normal.
Nico cursed, why did she bring him into this? Zeus' eyes moved onto Nico's and at that point the thought he was going to melt.
'Nico.' He sneered. 'Son of Hades.'
Nico looked at Will to draw strength, Will have him a reassuring smile that didn't quite meet his eyes, but it was good enough to melt Nico's fear.
'Yes Lord. I had a dream Apollo was in danger, dying even,' Nico said, his voice sounding far more confident than he felt.
'And why would that matter?' Zeus asked, leaning on a rather dangerous looking bolt.
'Without him we wouldn't have won the war!' Will snapped. Zeus raised his eyebrows and this time Nico grabbed Will's wrist and looked him in the eyes. Will was breathing heaving.
'Will it's okay.' Nico said. Will looked back at him, eyes flecked with anger until he shrugged Nico's hand away and returned his gaze to the King of the Olympians.
'Im sorry.' Will muttered.
Zeus chuckled. 'You've got a temper, unlike your dad.' He looked back at Hera who just shook her head annoyed.
Zeus sighed, 'look he's not here.' I had him locked in lower parts of Olympus, where the light never reaches your eyes. I went one day to see if he was ready to obey and he was gone. I don't know where he is.'
Nico's stomach dropped. Back to square one.
'Have you any idea where you might find him?' Nico asked.
'No. So when you 'find' him, what do you intend to do with him? Surely you don't think he can return to wherever scar free?'
'When we find him we would like to take him to Camp, to live out a sentence like Dioynisus.' Nico stated. It was a long shot, but it was better than nothing.
'Oh really?' Zeus boomed.
'Yes.' Nico said.
Zeus pondered this for a minute.
'Very well. Now get out. And don't bother me again.' Zeus returned to his throne.
'Now!' He roared, sending sparks after the three who exited the room very swiftly. The grand doors shut behind them and Nico finally let go of the breath he was holding.
'That went well.' Growled Will.
'Better than nothing.' Lou sighed, adjusting her weapon at her side. 'At least we can take him home once we find him,'
'If.' Will spat. 'We're no closer to finding him then we were when we left camp.' He was angry, Nico could feel the red hot aura pouring off him.
'Psssst.' A voice down the hall hissed. 'I think I can help.'
A/N: Next chapter up HOPEFULLY tomorrow.