On Mount Olympus the air crackled with tension as Hera turned to Aphrodite in fury. "Hera, darling, why so serious?" Aphrodite teased, her voice dripping with honeyed sweetness as she twirled a strand of golden hair between her fingers.

"Are you behind this, Aphrodite?" Hera accused, her gaze sharp like the point of a celestial spear. "My Champion, Jason, and Nico were meant to be the perfect couple. Your interference is disrupting my plan to achieve peace between camps."

Aphrodite's laughter tinkled like wind chimes in a gentle breeze. "Oh, sweet Hera, plans are made to be adjusted. I just added a sprinkle of love magic to spice things up."

Hera's gaze narrowed, her concern for her chosen champion evident. "This is not a game, Aphrodite. I had a specific path for Nico and Jason. I wanted them to form the perfect couple, a union that would strengthen the ties between camps.

Aphrodite, leaning in with an impish smile, countered, "But my dear, love is the most potent force. It transcends alliances and brings souls together in the most unexpected ways. Jason and Nico, Percy and Nico—love intertwines them all."

Hera, unyielding in her stance, snapped, "This isn't about love. It's about the future of our demigods and the stability of our realms."

Aphrodite, undeterred, blew a playful kiss. "Oh, Hera, you'll thank me when you see the beauty of these love stories unfold. Nicery sounds so good, doesn't it? Opposites attract, my dear. Nico, with his powers rooted in death, and Percy, the ocean and life incarnate, make for an intriguing pair."

Hera, frustrated by Aphrodite's whims, could only watch as the goddess of love reveled in the chaos she had orchestrated. Exasperated Hera crossed her arms. "This is not about what sounds good, Aphrodite. It's about alliances and the future of the demigods."

Before Aphrodite could reply and defend her stance, the rest of the 14 Olympians entered the Throne Room and took a seat on their thrones. The only one not present was Hades, who sent a message saying that he was dealing with something important in the Underworld. Though, Hestia was glad Hades was not present to see their two brothers bicker like a pair five years old.

Zeus was pointing fingers at Poseidon, a brewing storm shaking the foundations of Olympus. "Brother, this is your doing! I bet your son Percy is behind this thunder disappearance!"

Poseidon, his sea-green eyes swirling with stormy rage, shot back, "Zeus, you can't just blame Percy every time something goes wrong! Maybe your lightning just got tired of hanging out with you."

Zeus, not one to let an insult slide, bellowed, "Tired? My lightning doesn't get tired. It's lightning and thunder, the coolest combo in the godly arsenal. Perseus' behind this, mark my words."

Poseidon, a wave of frustration crashing over him, retorted, "Why would Percy mess with your thunder? He's got more important things to do, like studying and training. He only found out about his heritage this year!"

Zeus, fueled by righteous thunder fury, wasn't having any of Poseidon's defense. "Your son is trouble, Poseidon."

Poseidon, veins pulsating with irritation, raised his trident. "Zeus, I'm warning you. Accuse Percy without proof, and we'll have more than a thunder crisis on our hands."

The gods of Olympus were at a standstill, thunder echoing Zeus' rage, waves crashing Poseidon's frustration. The divine tension hung thick in the air, with the other gods placing bets on who'd throw the first celestial punch. But then, enter Athena, the wise one, with her owl perched on her shoulder. She intervened, attempting to play referee in this family divine wrestling match. "Father, uncle, enough! Accusing each other won't bring the thunder back. Let's work together and find a solution."

"Why don't we contact Nico?" Hermes suggested, making everyone stop and turn to the Messenger God in confusion. "He has a knack on finding lost things… or souls. He might be able to help us find your lightning. Not to mention, he's been around Percy all year, if uncle's son was involved, Nico could shed some light into the whole issue."

"That is a good idea," Athena agreed slowly, as if she could not believe that Hermes had come up with it. In response, the God pouted petulantly. "Lady Iris, show us Niccolo di Angelo!"

A rainbow appeared in the middle of the throne room, showing Nico, mid-swing of his Stygian iron sword. He had answered the rainbow message with a mix of annoyance and a dash of combat adrenaline. "I'm kinda busy, Lady Iris. What do you want?" Nico grumbled, shadows dancing around him like puppets, and he was the puppeteer.

The gods, appearing on the rainbow message observed Nico's moves with a mix of curiosity and amusement. Zeus, still grumpy about his missing thunder, relayed the disappearance of his lightning. Nico turned towards the rainbow message in shock. "Your lighting is missing as well?!" He asked in disbelief.

"As well?" Athena shrewdly asked, raising an eyebrow.

Before Nico could respond, he had to dodge an upcoming torrent of fire. It was then that the Gods finally saw what Nico was fighting, a drakon. "Hold on, I got a Drakon to deal with."

And deal with it, he did. With a shadow travel shortcut that would make even Dionysus raise an impressed eyebrow, Nico materialized above the Drakon. In a single, clean swing, he severed its head, shadows embracing the beast in its final moments.

Ares couldn't help but whistle, a rare gesture of approval. "Well, look at you, Drakon Slayer. Impressive move, kid."

Apollo was already composing the symphony of Nico's victory. "Oh, the muses will sing of this accomplishment to every ear in existence! Drakon Slayer, a title that will echo through the ages."

Nico, having grown accustomed to accruing titles like trading cards, sighed. "Great, another title to add to the list. Just what I needed. I am starting to feel like Daenerys Targaryen."

Hera found Nico's nonchalant attitude amusing. "Heroes used to collect titles with pride, you know. It's a tradition."

Nico, however, was having none of it. "Yeah, well, I'd rather collect something practical, like shadow tricks or how to summon the dead. Titles just weigh me down."

Nico, now crowned with the unofficial title of Drakon Slayer, couldn't help but roll his eyes. Olympus might be a realm of divine theatrics, but Nico di Angelo, ever the pragmatic demigod, preferred actions over titles. Hera's fondness for the son of Hades grew. Heroes of old would have proudly adorned themselves with every title, but Nico, in his exasperation, became a charming anomaly.

"What did you mean by as well?" Athena asked again. "What else is missing? Why were you even fighting a drakon?"

"Father's Helm of Darkness has disappeared," Nico's words had the whole throne room freezing. "I was tasked to find it. But whoever stole it was smart enough to block its presence from my compass."

Zeus, looking ready to unleash a storm of his own, turned his lightning-infused gaze toward Poseidon. "Brother, this is unacceptable! First, my lightning, now our brother's Helm of Darkness. What's going on here?"

Poseidon, waves of frustration crashing over him again, threw his hands up. "Zeus, I didn't steal your lightning, and neither did my son. We also were not involved in the disappearance of our brother's Helm of Darkness."

Zeus turned to Nico and thundered in more ways than one. "Did Perseus have a hand in this?"

Nico, still tired from all the drakon slaying, sighed. "Look, I've got no reason to believe Percy's behind this. He might be the seaweed brain, but stealing symbols? That's not his style. Besides, as much as Olympus is like, a stone's throw away from Elysium Prep, Percy couldn't just stroll into the Underworld and swipe the Helm. That's a whole different level of divine security and my father would have sensed him. Children of Poseidon, like any child of the sea, have a lot of life presence."

Poseidon, always grateful for someone defending his son, gave Nico a nod of acknowledgment, a silent pact between the sea god and the son of Hades. Zeus, despite his initial thunderous demeanor, began to see the wisdom in Nico's words. It was then that Athena chimed in, "Father, Niccolo is right. Accusing Perseus without evidence won't solve anything. We need to approach this with logic and reason."

Zeus, begrudgingly nodding in agreement, acknowledged the logic presented. "Fine. But my lightning needs to be found."

Nico, seizing the opportunity, chimed in, "Unfortunately, I am already in the quest to find my father's Helm of Darkness and cannot participate in the quest to find your lightning, King Zeus."

Zeus nodded to his polite nephew and turned to Poseidon. "Brother, looks like we've got a double quest on our hands. Perseus will be in charge of finding my lightning, and Niccolo will continue his quest for the Helm of Darkness."

Poseidon shot a stern look at Zeus. "You're putting my son on a quest without consulting me?"

Zeus, always the authoritative figure, responded, "He's capable, and there's no time limit. War isn't imminent, but we can't let our divine symbols be missing. Perseus will find my lightning, and Niccolo will find our brother's Helm. It's settled."

Nico, appreciating the resolution, nodded. "Fair enough. Percy's got this, and I'll make sure the Helm finds its way back too." Nico, with his acute demigod senses, detected the telltale signs of monsters approaching. He turned to the gods, his expression serious, his ghost guardians flickering around him like protective spirits. "Looks like I've got company," Nico announced, his eyes scanning the horizon for the approaching threat. "Monsters, and not the friendly kind." Nico, however, had one more point to add. "Before I go, let's not forget the deal. A letter of recommendation at the end of this quest for Percy and his chosen demigods."

"Of course, Niccolo. I'll ensure the letter is delivered, considering the circumstances and the importance of this quest." Athena stepped forward.

Nico nodded at Athena, gratitude in his eyes. "Thanks. Percy and his team are risking a lot for this. A little acknowledgment would go a long way."

With a nod of acknowledgment, Athena promised to fulfill her end of the bargain. Nico, ready for battle, said his goodbyes and turned to face the approaching monsters, shadows swirling around him like a protective cloak. Just then the Iris Message was cut off.

Ares, disappointed at missing the chance for a good brawl, grumbled, "Next time, let me get my fill of action."

Meanwhile, at Camp Half-Blood, the tranquility of the sunny day was shattered by the arrival of an unexpected visitor—a colossal school bus accompanied by a motley crew of monstrous escorts. Ghouls, zombies, and hellhounds paraded alongside the bus, leaving the demigod campers agape in disbelief. It wasn't the sight of the bus itself that left them dumbfounded; it was the casual demeanor of the demigods inside, unfazed by the monstrous entourage as if it were an everyday occurrence. Chiron, the wise centaur and activities director, couldn't hide his astonishment.

As the demigods parted to make way, a black-haired boy with striking green eyes stepped forward, an easy-going smile playing on his lips. The mischievous glimmer in his eyes hinted at a spirit unyielding to the bizarre scene around him. Chiron, with his keen perception, quickly recognized him as a son of Poseidon.

The boy, exuding an air of confidence, handed Chiron a neatly organized pile of papers. "This is the list of every student from Elysium Prep coming to camp. You'll find their parentage, both godly and mortal, along with allergies, medical history, and emergency contacts. We're all accounted for, except for Nico, who's on a mission for my uncle."

Chiron's eyes widened at the casual reference to the king of the Underworld. The demigod named Percy continued, his tone nonchalant, "By the way, my name's Perseus Jackson, but call me that, and I might have to drown you. Just stick with Percy. Son of Poseidon."

A collective gasp echoed from the campers behind Chiron. The revelation of Percy's parentage sparked a ripple of excitement and curiosity. A son of the sea god at Camp Half-Blood—a dynamic shift in the camp's routine.

Chiron, regaining his composure, nodded slowly. "Welcome, Percy. We're honored to have you and your companions from Elysium Prep." He then murmured to himself. "This summer camp is bound to be...interesting."