solangelo one shots

the chronicles of n&w part 9

Nico's POV

Capture the flag. One of the camp's signature activities. Tonight, it was the Apollo and Ares cabins versus the Big Three kids and the Hephaestus cabin. We were outnumbered, but that was an easy fix, considering the fact that I had the undead at my disposal. To my surprise, Percy, Jason, and Leo were looking at me expectantly, waiting for instructions. Usually, I just hung around in the shadows and helped with what I could.

"Uh, I can get the flag alone, Jason can fly and cover me." I told everyone, glad that it was night. "I'll summon some skeletons to help defend our flag. Leo can lead his cabin in setting traps. Percy, you're our scout." Everyone nodded, and I set off, unused to being followed. Even though Jason was right behind me, he had to squint to see me in the darkness. I used my powers to cover the enemy half of the woods in a layer of fog-like shadow and rushed in. Shockingly, I wasn't drained at all. Just six months ago, that would have been enough to make me pass out.

I heard Jason gasp behind me and fall to the ground. I whipped around, kneeling beside him. The Ares campers were using paralytic darts, probably having bought them from the Athena kids. Chiron was most likely scolding them for selling chemical weaponry. Annabeth did like to see Percy lose sometimes. Good for the ego, she'd explained. I dissolved my essence a bit, feeling the bonds that kept me from sinking into the Underworld loosen. That wasn't good. I couldn't do anything for Jason at this point, so I moved him out of the way and propped him up against a tree. I knew that he should only be out for around five minutes, but I couldn't afford to hold back. I froze as a dart hit the tree behind me, and grabbed it before shadow traveling onto the uppermost branch. Clarisse always meant trouble when she was coming at you with a murderous look in her eyes. Whispers and screams filled my ears as I hurtled through my element, and I shied away from them. If Will knew what I was doing, he would have a fit. I reformed only partway, still bound to the Underworld, but quickly solidified. Examining the dart, I noticed some of the paralytic drugs still in it and grinned to myself. I watched from my vantage point as all of the Ares kids had pushed forward blindly, and the Apollo kids followed them, but I waited in the tree until I saw a lone guard. I recognized the guard immediately. Will. Of course it had to be him.

He was hiding behind a bush, darts in hand. I leapt down from the tree and a dart immediately flew towards me— and passed through my body, hitting the oak behind me. "That's not fair!" Will complained as I walked up to him. He threw more until he was weaponless. "Okay, I surrender."

"There's no surrendering in capture the flag," I sneered. It felt amazing, the power coursing through my veins. I knew I should stop, that the shadows were still whispering to me, darkening my thoughts. Something was wrong. But it felt so right. Two skeletons dug themselves from the ground behind him, their faces twisted into permanent grins as they grabbed Will by the arms and held him. Genuine fear shone in his eyes, making me falter.

"What are you going to do, then?" He gasped. I reluctantly banished the skeletons back into my father's domain, biting my lip thoughtfully. I don't know why I didn't just take the flag then. I should have.

I stuck the dart into his arm and watched as he slumped over like a discarded doll. "Sorry, Will." I leaned down deliberately, slowly, and touched his cheek. His eyes followed my movements, shining with anxiety. "And that's why single guards aren't a good idea. Ever." I grabbed the flag, and a bell rang, signaling the end of the game.

And that was when I sensed a wave of pure Wrongness wash over me. There was a flash of panic, my muscles were stiffening, and suddenly, felt like I was drifting.