Nico di Angelo was not having a good time. Far from it. The young boy was sure that he must have seriously pissed off some deity, else there would be no explanation for his streak of bad luck. Not long ago he was still inside the Lotus Casino, enjoying his time. The time with his older sister Bianca. But then everything went to hell... literally.
He met a girl at the Casino. A blond girl, around the same age as his sister, called Annabeth. She sure was odd in his opinion. She saw him hide in the shadows after he had somehow angered a member of the Casino security and approached him immediately. He still could hardly believe all the things she had told him. Him being the son of god... it sounded so cool. He really wanted to believe her words. She even called herself a demigod, a daughter of Athena. To the young boy all of this was like a dream that came true. A dream that would soon turn into a nightmare.
And then things went downhill. Annabeth's companion, an older boy called Luke, appeared and told her that they had to leave quickly. Something about the Casino being a trap. The girl protested, saying something about another friend of theirs. Saying that they should not abandon their last companion. But the Casino security appeared and Luke attacked them without hesitation. They fled, and poor little Nico was caught up in the middle. They dragged him along on their way back to their room. Their companion wasn't there, but the security arrived soon after them.
Nico could not get away from them, as the girl insisted on him coming along, citing that all demigod children should go to the camp they hailed from. Nico was convinced that he had somehow ended up in the clutches of a lunatic and her violent attack dog. They all but forced him to come along as they ran away from the Casino.
Hours of traveling and more cool stories and questions later they had arrived in Los Angeles. They said that they had to go to the Underworld, before they could bring him to this camp. And judging by what happened to them in LA, Nico was sure that they all would end up dead far sooner than any of them had planned.
Strangely it felt kind of good to be in the Underworld, at least to young Nico. He felt at ease there, much more than in the busy city of Los Angeles. It was calming and, for the first time since he had been taken, he forgot about how much he already missed his older sister.
The other two demigods did not feel as he did. They were afraid and weary of what would await them in the realm of Hades. Especially Luke looked like he had to force himself to go anywhere near this place. But something seemed to keep him going, no more like something forced him to continue. So they somehow ended up in the Underworld, where Nico and Annabeth enjoyed playing with the Cerberus, while Luke continued onward.
But the son of Hermes apparently attracted stuff that wants to hurt him, so he came back running to them. A large number of Hellhounds came their way, running after Luke, so they had to make a run for it... again. Nico couldn't help himself but think about Bianca. Little did he know that at exact this time Bianca was on a boat, crossing the Styx.
And before Nico knew what was happening to him, Annabeth used something from a bag that, according to her earlier explanation, was a gift of her mother at the beginning of her quest. Long story short they ended up back on the surface, at a beach of all places. Trouble wouldn't leave them alone, not even here. A giant boar attacked them, or more precisely it attacked Luke, who killed it with what looked like a shimmering thunder bolt. Annabeth gasped when she saw it, a look of disbelieve on her face.
But a barking laugh quickly caught the attention of all three demigods. A man in biker clothes stood there, a sword in one, a shield in his other hand. Annabeth mumbled something about Ares, before the man attacked Luke, slamming his shield into the boy's face, forcing him to drop the bolt, before he continued to attack him viciously. The bolt ended up right in front of the unwitting son of Hades, not that Nico would have known about the importance of the thing he was just about to pick up.
Before Percy knew what was happening to him, he was already engulfed by the shadows around him. It was an odd feeling. Coldness seeped through him as the shadows touched him, but at the same time he could feel that the darkness meant no harm. He knew it wasn't really an apt description, but it was the best way he could describe the sensation.
When the shadows receded again the first thing he recognized was the smell of the sea. A welcome smell that reminded him of home and the days he had spent with his mother in the past. Apollo had always kept him away from the sea, for his own protection, as the Sun God said again and again. Percy knew that Apollo merely wished to avoid Poseidon realizing that his son was under the care of another god.
But now he was back at a beach. On the other side of the country, but to him it was the same as the beach in Montauk. He relished the feeling of the sea breeze as it blew past him, before his attention snapped towards the sound of fighting.
"Percy is that?" Ariadne asked worriedly, as she looked towards the uneven fight. God against demigod.
"Ares!" Percy said with a smirk. He had been looking forward to meeting the God of War again. It was about time for their rematch. And Percy was hellbent on winning this time. He had trained and planned for this fight ever since his last defeat at Ares' hands.
"Are those the demigods Hades has been talking about? Are those the thieves?" Zoe demanded to know. She looked sharply at Clarisse, but the daughter of Ares only watched her dad fight. "Girl, are those your former companions?" Zoe said with a dangerous growl. If those were really the thieves, then she could reclaim Zeus' lost symbol of power. Bringing it back would increase the glory of her mistress and earn all of the Hunters the fame they deserved.
"Yes... that boy fighting my dad is Luke, the son of Hermes. The blond girl is Annabeth, daughter of Athena. I don't know the shrimp."
"He has to be Bianca's brother." Percy said, before he summoned his weapon and charged towards Ares.
"Percy... what the Hades?" Ariadne looked dumbfounded after the boy, as he ran towards the God of War. "He's nuts."
"If he plans to die here I will go down to the Underworld and drag him back here myself." Phoebe said angrily.
"Not yet. Phoebe, Ariadne, capture those demigods. We must not allow them to escape." Zoe ordered sternly. Phoebe and Ariadne complied without hesitation and charged after her. They quickly approached Annabeth and Nico, both demigods looking wearily at the three approaching girls. All three had their bows in hand, arrows notched and aimed at them, waiting for one false movement.
"It's over, you thieves. Time to give up and face your punishment." Phoebe said, as she pointed her arrow directly at Nico's head. The boy looked so scared that no one would have been surprised had he actually fainted.
"NO, wait. We are no thieves!" Annabeth tried to appease the Hunters, but Zoe would have none of it.
"Silence. Do you think us to be fools, daughter of Athena?" Zoe asked, an icy glare directed at the blond girl. Then she turned towards Nico, who held the Master Bolt in his hands. "Boy, give me the Bolt!" She demanded harshly.
Nico took a few steps back, clearly afraid of the threatening girls before him. "Do not move a muscle." Phoebe warned him.
"The Bolt!" Zoe demanded once more.
Nico hesitated, his grip on the weapon tightening. But in the end his fear won and he handed the Bolt over, his hands shaking badly. "Don't k...kill me... please..." He stuttered slightly, as he backed away once more.
But Zoe was distracted by the Master Bolt in her hand. "We have it. We have Zeus' symbol of power. For the glory of Lady Artemis, we have retrieved it!" She said with an awed expression as she looked at the Bolt. Nico used this moment to make a run for it. He turned around and ran as fast as his feet would carry him. "Phoebe, get him." Zoe ordered immediately. "But don't kill him. If he is truly Hades' son we shouldn't risk angering the Lord of Underworld." Phoebe quickly ran after the fleeing boy, leaving Zoe and Ariadne alone with the silent daughter of Athena. "And now, child, we will talk about your felony."
As Percy reached the fighting god and demigod he came just in time to see Luke getting thrown back by a large blow from Ares' shield. Grover, who had followed Percy, immediately rushed over to Luke to check on him.
Ares meanwhile turned towards Percy with a bloodthirsty grin. "About time for you to show up! I've been itching for a real fight, shrimp." Without wasting a second he charged at Percy, sword raised, shield ready.
Percy side stepped and ducked under the first swing. The sword narrowly missed his head, as Percy whirled around to attack Ares' unguarded back. Imperial gold met celestial bronze as Ares parried the attack with his own sword.
"Do you really think it would be this easy, shrimp?" Ares said with a mocking laugh. "I've taught you better than this." He overpowered Percy easily and caused him to stumble back.
"You never taught me, Ares. You merely beat me up." Percy said with a smirk, before his sword clashed with Ares' once more.
"Pain is the ultimate teacher." As he said that he slammed his shield into Percy, sending the boy flying back into the sea behind him. "Stand up, Perseus. Fight me like you mean it."
In the water Percy felt his strength returning. The pain of being hit by Ares shield was numbed, before it disappeared completely, replaced by a feeling of empowerment. Percy could feel the sea around him, he could feel all that was in the sea. Something was close... someone. As his head disappeared underneath a wave he could see some Nereids together with an unknown merman. They were watching him, the Nereids with starstruck expressions, while the merman looked at him critically. It was an odd sight, but Percy dismissed it and refocused on Ares. The god of war was looking at the sea with an impatient expression, as he paced angrily near the water.
"Get out of the water, shrimp! Face me!" Ares yelled angrily.
Percy smirked as he got an idea. Ares would have his wish, but he would get more than he bargained for. He swam back towards the beach at a speed that would be impossible for any human, but being the son of the sea-god himself certainly had some perks. As he reappeared above the water he created a giant wave that crashed down on the impatient god.
Ares wouldn't drown, Percy knew that this would not defeat him, but he only used it as a diversion. As Ares was busy trying to withstand the force of the sea he was distracted. Enough to allow Percy to attempt a single attack. A swing aimed directly at Ares chest.
But Ares avoided it in the nick of time, so Percy's attack merely graced Ares' chest and arm. But it cut the leather straps that tied Ares shield to his arm, causing the bronze bulwark to fall to the ground with a muted thud.
Ares laughed widely at this. "Now we are fighting, shrimp. Man against man, with sword and fists. Prepare for a world of hurt." He attacked in rapid succession, forcing Percy to back away more and more. He slowly forced Percy back towards the sea. Ares wasn't dumb. He knew that Percy would last longer with contact to the water. It was just what he wanted. He wanted his fun to last.
"Is that really all?" Percy asked, as he swung his sword in a wide arc. But again his strike was blocked by Ares own weapon. But something wasn't right... he had his sword in the wrong hand... Too late Percy realized that Ares right hand was balled to a fist... and the fist was approaching his face at a frightening speed. He felt like he had been hit the Minotaur when Ares punched him square in the face.
Ares laughed uproariously as he saw the pain on Percy's face. He allowed himself a short moment to look around. He saw with grim satisfaction that Luke was still on the ground, Grover kneeling next to him. Clarisse stood next to them, her spear directed at Luke's head.
Percy groaned loudly, as he wiped some blood away from his split lip. "You told me to never switch my sword hand during a fight." He accused with an angry look.
Ares only laughed more. "Once you have become a master, you may disregard my teachings yourself. Now stand ready, we are still far from done." He raised his sword again.
"We actually came her to apprehend the thieves." Percy said with a groan. His jaw hurt badly at the moment.
"If you manage to draw blood from me I shall allow you to continue. Else we will keep on fighting until I'm done having my fun."
Percy clenched his free hand to a fist, before he charged at Ares with his sword arm raised above his head. As he ran he muttered an ancient Greek incantation, causing his palm to glow brightly. It was hidden by his clenched fist until he had reached Ares. He faked a punch to the gods face, before he opened his hand right in front of his enemy's face, blinding the god for some moments. Enough time to slip through Ares' defense so he could strike his now unprotected side. Ares cursed loudly as Percy cut the skin on his abdomen, drawing the golden blood of the gods, the Ichor.
"Enough blood, Ares?" Percy asked mockingly. Ares had a look on disbelieve on his face, before his bloodthirsty grin returned. He took off the shades that usually hid his eyes from sight, revealing the two burning pits that were his eyes. Then he laughed.
"You got lucky today, shrimp. Next time I won't go easy on you. Go and apprehend you thief. But we will repeat this soon." Ares said, as he picked up his discarded shield and made it disappear. "Enyo will never let me live this down..." He muttered as he believed that no one was listening to him anymore.
Luke was up by now, though he was still on the ground due to Clarisse threatening him with bodily harm should he try anything. "You know I was really surprised when Hades told me that you are the thief, Luke."
"Pah. You know nothing." Luke spat out.
"And now, give me the helmet. Hades wants back what is rightfully his." Percy said, as he held a hand out towards Luke.
"You really think that I have it? You are a fool. A lapdog of the gods. We demigods are nothing but pawns to them. Just look at you, coming here, fighting for a god that wants your death. Fighting against a god without a reason..."
"Is that why you have become a thief, Luke? Some odd form of revenge against the gods?"
"I follow a greater cause, a greater master." Luke said. "But if you want that helmet you have to ask the god who just beat the shit out of you."
Percy turned towards Ares with a confused expression. The god looked grimly at Percy, making no attempt to deny the claim. Instead he made the Helmet of Darkness appear out of nowhere.
"You have it? But why? Why steal from your own father and uncle?"
"I have not stolen the items. Your little friend did it. I beat the crap out of him and took them from him." Ares said angrily.
"Why didn't you return them?"
"Should Hades get his hands on the Master Bolt, my father would declare war upon his brother. All that was needed was a way to get the helmet to Poseidon to involve all of the Big Three in a new war. There is no better war than a fight between the Big Three." His malicious smirk did not help to make Percy understand Ares' reasoning in the slightest.
"But they are your family."
"There are greater powers at work here... someone more convincing..." Ares stated somewhat subdued. It was obvious that he did not wish to divulge any more about this. His pride prevented him from coming clean.
"What are you talking about?" Percy asked, a confused frown on his face. He looked back and forth between Ares and Luke, but neither said a word. It just did not make any sense at all. Someone had managed to convince Ares to do this? But Ares was the most stubborn god Percy had met so far and he was sure that his pride would not allow anyone except his father to command him. So that only left manipulation. But who would be powerful and cunning enough to manipulate Ares?
"Don't think about moving, Luke." Clarisse growled as Luke tried to stand up. The feeling of betrayal could easily been seen on her face and in her body language. It was obvious that she was very much like her father, the same pride of a warrior.
Luke chuckled darkly. "Do you really think that I will be defeated here? By you?" He looked condescendingly at Clarisse.
"Why did you do it?" Percy asked the son of Hermes.
"I had my orders. And I had help. With the help of Lord Kronos I will get justice for what the gods have done to me... to all of us demigods."
"Kronos? Are you kidding me?" Percy asked in disbelieve.
"What would you know? You will never understand me. You are just a pawn in the game of the gods. A lapdog to do their bidding, to amuse them until the tire of you and kill you."
"I really think that you have the wrong ideas about the gods... they may be shitty parents but..."
"Don't you dare to try and defend their actions. I have seen their just treatment of their children. I have seen how Thalia was killed because of the crimes of her father. I have seen how my own father disregarded me before I got to the camp and after I failed my quest. They feed you lies about adventurous quests and the glory of becoming a hero. It is a lie, all of it." Luke spat angrily.
Percy and Clarisse were stunned to silence by Luke's words, while Ares looked bored. Luke used this chance, grabbing Clarisse's spear, using it to throw her towards Percy. "I won't be caught. Lord Kronos won't allow it." He suddenly called out a giant scorpion, before he started running.
"Luke, this is a mistake! Don't throw your live away for some ill placed hatred!" Percy yelled after him, as he and Clarisse stood up from the ground. The daughter of Ares wasted no time attacking the scorpion, ramming her spear right in the beast's head, killing it without remorse.
Luke stopped running and looked back towards Percy and the rest of the group. He saw the Hunters getting closer with a handcuffed Annabeth and an unconscious Nico. One of the Hunters had her bow aimed at him, sending an arrow towards him. The silver missile graced his arm, leaving a bleeding gash, but nothing more. A portal appeared next to him, giving him the chance to escape from all of his pursuers for now. With one last look at Annabeth he turned around and left. This last look at the girl, that had been like a sister to him for so many years, nearly made him regret his choice. But he wouldn't falter now. Lord Kronos had still many more missions for him. So he left for good.
"Did he take the helmet with him?" Percy asked, as he looked towards Ares. The god still sported a bored expression as if none of this was of any concern to him.
"No, I have it here. Take it, shrimp, as your reward for your good performance today." The scary looking Helmet of Darkness appeared in his hand. He tossed it towards Percy, who grabbed it and looked at it in awe. "Next time I will beat you to a bloody pulp, shrimp." Ares disappeared soon after that, not even sparing one glance at his own daughter, much to Clarisse's dismay. She looked almost envious at Percy for all the attention he had gotten from her own father.
"Well, we have the Bolt, the Helmet and Hades' son. Mission accomplished." Percy said with a wide grin. He was still worried about Luke's words, but he wouldn't allow others to see this worry. He would think of a way to solve the problem with Luke later. "And who do we have here?" He said, as he looked at the blond girl that Ariadne guarded.
"Annabeth Chase, daughter of Athena." The girl replied.
"And one of the thieves. Caught them red-handed with the Master Bolt." Ariadne added happily.
"NO. I'm no thief." Annabeth protested vehemently, which caused earned her a whack and a threatening look from Ariadne.
"The Olympians shall decide that." Percy said, before he looked at the unconscious boy that Phoebe carried over her shoulder. "Now we have to get the boy and the Helmet back to Hades, then we can finish our business with your mistress." Zoe nodded grimly, not really sure whether Percy would really allow them to capture him without resistance. But she knew for sure that the hunt would end today, one way or another.
"Perseus Jackson!" A raspy voice appeared behind Percy. Most would have been unnerved by this, but Percy got used to the owner of that voice by now.
"Alecto, my favorite Fury. We have accomplished Lord Hades' task. We have the Helmet and his son." He immediately offered her the Helmet to take, which she did without a moments hesitation.
"A pity, I would have gladly punished you for all eternity." Alecto said almost sadly. "But you still have many chances to get on Lord Hades bad side. You won't escape me for ever." She turned around to leave, but Percy stopped her.
"Wait! What about his son?"
"Lord Hades was most displeased with his cowardice. Being fooled by those thieves did nothing to improve his opinion of the boy. Take the boy to that camp, Lord Hades does not want him." Alecto said, as she looked evilly at the unconscious boy.
Percy and the other demigods looked shocked by that statement. "But he is his son! How can he..." Luke's earlier statement rung in his ears. This was just another proof for the traitor's claim.
"The boy has disappointed my Lord. Lord Hades will not allow him to know of his heritage until he has proven himself worthy. If you value your life you will not tell the boy about his connection to Lord Hades." And then Alecto was gone.
"This is bullshit." Percy yelled loudly, not that Alecto would have heard it. He had seen how Hades had cared about Bianca. How happy he seemed to have her back. Yet at the same time he would also treat his son like a leper... Was he really ashamed of his son? Or was there another reason for this? Some sick form of preference for his elder child? He felt like he should know the reason, like it was right before him. Yet the answer eluded him.
"Sometimes the gods' decisions just don't make sense." Ariadne said somberly.
"It is time, Jackson." Zoe said after some moments of silence. "You had your fun, now you will face justice as well." Clarisse and Annabeth looked oddly at Percy and the Huntress, since neither really knew why exactly Percy was traveling in the company of Lady Artemis attendants.
"I know, I know. I gave you my word and I intend to keep it." Percy said calmly. On the inside he was still confused and angry because of Hades' actions. Because of all that had happened in the last few hours.
A bright flash next to the group alerted them to the arrival of a god, or in this case the goddess Artemis. The goddess of the Hunt looked coldly at Percy, as she approached the group.
"You have wasted enough of our time, Jackson. You will be brought to Olympus, whether you want to or not." She said as she stopped next to Zoe. Though she had no weapon in her hands she still gave Percy the feeling that she tried to dare him to try and run away. He was sure that Artemis would welcome the chance to hurt him. "I know what you did inside that Casino and I will punish you for your insolence. You..."
As second flash nearly blinded the group. The golden light revealed the god that Percy had prayed to more than once in the last few days. Apollo had come and judging by the wide grin on his face he either came from one of his dates or he had some other reason for his insanely good mood.
"Not so fast, sis. Father has ordered you to bring Percy alive. And since we have so many people that need to go to Olympus he has allowed me to bring them." Apollo said. He walked over to Percy, placing an arm around his champion's shoulders. "You did good, Percy, really good." Percy had no idea how it was physically possible, but Apollo's grin just got even wider than before.
"Apollo..." Artemis glowered at her brother. "Do not interfere."
"Hey, don't be so mean. You all need a ride and I happen to have an awesome car." He snapped his fingers and his Maserati appeared. "Ah... a bit small for all of you... unless some of you volunteer to sit in the trunk..." He only got glares for his last suggestion. "Oh well." He snapped his fingers again and the car changed its shape. Gone was the Maserati and in its stead there was a bus, big enough to easily allow all of them on board. "Okay, all on board." He gestured for the demigods to go, before he turned towards Percy. "Sorry for not coming sooner, but my father kind of forbid me to help you. But since we are buddies I will make it up to you." Percy could hear Artemis groan in annoyance when she heard her brother's words, but he disregarded it. He wanted to know how Apollo intended to make up for nearly abandoning him for more than a week. "Today, my young friend, you will get a rare honor. Today I will allow you to drive my chariot!"
Artemis groan just got louder, as she looked at her brother in utter disbelieve. The god of the sun allowing a twelve-year-old to drive his chariot? She just hoped that Percy wouldn't add any more deserts to this continent, she really hated sand and aridity.
A/N: I know that Ares was bit ooc, but I really wanted him to treat Percy different because of their earlier fights. More like some twisted master-apprentice relationship... well not sure whether that worked, but this was the first real interaction seen between those two, so there are many more chances to further develop that in the future. And please don't be disappointed because Percy did not beat Ares to a bloody pulp this time. Ares is still a god, THE god of war in fact and the idea that a twelve-year-old can mop the floor with him is kind of ridiculous.