The Death Prince is Back (Percico)

Chapter 3

NICO'S POV

Getting back to camp took only five minutes. John kept count being the nerd he is and Eri just acted like her crazy happy self. When we were at the top of Camp Half-Blood, Peleus raised his head and roared loudly. Oh well that's not good....

John took a step forward, his hands on both Nadia and Aiden. Eri simply stared at the dragon in awe.

"Woah woah woah guys!" I stepped in front of John and moved his hands away from his swords. Eri jumped up and down excitedly and I looked up at Peleus. "You don't remember me?"

Peleus leaned down and sniffed me. When he pulled away, he was looking at me very unsurely. I wathed as Peleus went back to sleeping, his nostrils flaring up smoke. I smiled and glanced back my two best friends. My smile grew when campers climbed over te ridge of the hill and pointed their weapons down at me. I noticed Will Solace, the Stolls, Clarissa, Katie Garderner, Nyssa, and a bunch of others. The look on their faces was priceless!

I extended my arms. "I'm back!"

XOXOXOXOXOXOX

The next hour was a total blur. I was rushed to the Big House and surprisingly, Chiron was missing. Apparently, Chiron was in Florida having a meeting with the Party Ponies. John, Eri and I sat in there until we just stood up and left. We walked around and I noticed a large crowd of people by the lake. Curious, we walked over and I heard shouts. I could tell one of them was Annabeth.

"Percy! Get off of him already!" she screamed. 

The lake was like a tsunami about to strike. At the sound of Percy's name, I pushed past the crowd making them go quiet. When I made it to the front, Jason and Percy were on the sand brawling. 

"Its your fault!" Percy screamed as he landed a punch on Jason's face. "Its your fault he's gone!"

My heart skipped a beat when I realized he was talking about me. I stepped forward and pulled Percy off of Jason, my eyes turning to look at Jason and my shock turned to anger. I shoved my foot down onto Jason's face, his nose breaking. The crowd turned quiet and the only the sound of Jason's pained screams filed the air along with Eri's shouts, "Get em' NIco! Beat up his pretty face!"

I stepped of his face and turned back to the group. They all looked scared. I frowned. "What, am I scaring you guys?"

"Its Nico!"

"Oh my gods! His hair!"

"Are you sure that's him?"

"Who's the guy and the girl?"

I smiled at the words of the crowd. Jason was still on the floor and Percy and Annabeth only stared. Next thing I knew, Annabeth was hugging me and sobbing her eyes out. Percy just sat the floor, looking dazed and confused. I pushed Annabeth off of me slightly and knelt down in front of Percy. He had silent tears running down his face and he was covering his mouth. He looked horrible. His messy black hair was uncombed and a lot more messier -which I didn't really mind since he looked hotter that way- and his beautiful green eyes ad dark bags under his eyes.

Percy pulled me into his chest and I realized how small I was compared to him. Even in the year we've been apart, Percy had to be 6'4. I was still about 5'5 and I was 16! Percy had to be 19. Percy just held me and I didn't really seem to mind. I guess I kind of liked Percy... Like in a loving way. Not as a friend but as a boyfriend. Wait, what about Annabeth. Oh gods, maybe they're still dating! Wait, what about that conversation a year ago?

Oh yeah, Annabeth was starting to like Piper. I pulled away a bit from Percy and stared up at him. Percy stared right back and suddenly I was very aware of our closeness. I scrambled out of his lap and Eri shouted, "Oh my gods! That was so cute!"

A mumble of agreements went through the crowd. Percy stood and held out a hand for me. I took it and Percy pulled me up, my head hitting his hard chest. "I'm glad your back..."

He pulled away, stepping over Jason's limp body, past the seven and into his cabin. He didn't come back out.

XCXCXCXCXC

"And I would also like to address the return of Nick, son of Hade's who just magically disappeared last year," Dionysus said tiredly.

I was grinning from ear to ear. Gods, nothing has changed. The little voice in my head said otherwise though. I was constantly looking around the mess hall, hoping for the legendary Percy Jackson to waltz into the room.

Eri and John were having a great time, even though they'd get all moody when campers talked about the reason I left, often times they'd send their glares toward Jason. Oh, I can't wait until Jason approaches me! He's going to get the beating of his life. 

PERCY'S POV

He's back. He's back. He's back.

The two words replayed in my mind like a broken record as I stared at the ceiling. I didn't know what to do. What was I suppose to do? If I loved him, then why am I afraid of going to him. Oh yeah, because he might not like guys! Maybe he's with that girl with the blue eyes and really long ponytail. Gods, that girl scared me. She was way too happy. And that nerd? He was just plain weird. 

I tried to push Nico out of my mind, but he only came back to me. The way he felt in my arms, they way his hair had grown, his eyes were holding a new spark to them. And I loved everything about him. Before and after the change. But why did he leave? Where did he go?

I turned to look out the window and saw Nico and his friends laughing and pushing each other around like nothing. I sighed and looked down at my hands. Maybe I should just leave him alone. I slapped myself and shook my head. No! I can't just give up. I nodded, sat up and ran out of my cabin. I stopped at my porch when I saw Camp Half-Blood covered in black and white. It was like camp had just come out a movie from the 1800's. Everyone was frozen. I noticed that Nico still had his color and he was looking at me in shock.

I looked around and noticed a man in front of me. He had a black suit on with a blood red tie on. At his side, a pitch black sword was sheathed, darkness seeping out of the sheath and wrapping around the sword. His dark brown hair was spiked up and his skin was pale. He took a step toward me and I could only stare. 

"Percy! Run!" Nico screamed.

The man grabbed me and my gaze went dark.

NICO'S POV

Erebos turned to me slowly and said, "If you don't return my treasure, I will make sure that he dies. Consider this a declaration of war."

My knees gave way as Erebos vanished away leaving only darkness. Color returned and I drew in shaky breath.

"-and I said, 'Oh my gods! John!' and John was all like," Eri said.

"Shut up, Eri!" I screamed.

Eri stopped talking and took a step back nodding slowly. John scowled and wrapped an arm around Eri. "Dude, whats wrong with you?"

"Erebos." I said. "He's taken Percy."