Chapter Text
The summer solstice was always a big event. A big party.
There was cheery music playing, Nymphs dancing in joy, even the gods were meandering about.
But there was an underlying tension in air, everyone was on their guard.
Before Percy was kidnapped, he had told them that, their new enemies were planning to do something on the solstice, and he reiterated it when they rescued him.
So Thalia was a bit stressed out.
But she would soldier on.
Athena was confident that they wouldn’t try anything due to the fact, that would no longer have the element of surprise. So they did not cancel the celebration of the summer solstice.
She was already at the party, but was waiting at the elevator for the campers from camp to get there.
She had touched base with Percy and Annabeth before she and the hunters left, and the had all decided that the hunters would go ahead and get to Olympus, and they would join her shortly after.
Then she was gunna hang out with Nico and Percy during the party.
She hadn’t hung out with her two cousins in a while, and she would never tell them this, but she was super exited to see them.
She wishes Jason were going to be here, but he had decided to stay at camp, mainly because he wanted to be there just in case something happened, but also, believe it or not, party’s weren’t really his scene.
So she would just have to hang out with her brother another time.
She was pulled out of her thoughts by the ding of the elevator. As the first round of campers entered Olympus.
Now, she knew that camp wasn’t bringing everyone to the party. They were bringing up to five people, per cabin. The head counselor, the second in command, and up to three members of their cabin.
With the first group of Demigods, She saw Chiron, and gave a respectful nod. The Center nodded back.
The second group she saw Will and Piper, and she gave them a nod as well. And in the fourth group, Nico came out.
She grinned at him, walked over, and ruffled his hair, messing it up and making all frizzy.
Nico startled, not having seen her when he exited the elevator, and he threw out an arm, shoving her away.
He caught her gaze, and rolled his eyes, frivolously fixing his hair. "Hello to you to, Thalia." He said, sharply, but not rudely. "Can you not mess with my hair?"
Thalia snorted, throwing an arm over her cousin shoulder. He tensed at the initial contact, but relaxed into it.
"Where’s Percy?" She asked
"He should be on the next one."
And on cue, the elevator dinged once again. Percy and Annabeth stepped out, Annabeth with 4 of her siblings, Percy by himself, and Katie Gardener with her siblings.
Annabeth smiled brightly at her, and gave her a quick hug. "I’m gunna take these guys to the party, but you three have fun. Stay out of trouble." She turned on her heel, gave Percy a quick peck on the cheek, then she and her siblings made their way to the party, Katie and her siblings following.
Percy shot Thalia a mischievous grin. "So we’re getting in trouble right?"
Nico nodded eagerly. (And silently, Thalia was glad he was acting like he was 15. (Because he was 15))
Thalia rolled her eyes "We’ll see what happens. C’mon, let’s join the party."
And the three raven haired cousins joined the festivities.
There was cheerful music playing, and all sorts of people dancing. She also spotted the gods mingling with their respective children. Her eyes instinctively went to go look for her lady, Artemis. But Thalia’s eyes could not find her at the moment.
She, Percy, and Nico, decided that they were going to find a spot to sit and catch up on the outskirts of all the noise.
They ended up sitting on a bench at the side wall of one of Demeter’s temples. It was a nice area, out of the way, but not so out of the way that they were to far from the crowds (just in case those idiots were dumb enough to attack, it was safer to be near people.)
And the three of them just talked.
"How are you and Will?" Thalia asked.
Nico raised an eyebrow "Really? You, of all people, want to know about my gay relationship? The forever virgin Huntress?" He deadpanned
Percy choked on his drink, laughing so hard Thalia thought he was going to pass out.
Thalia blinked at Nico, trying to appear unamused, but she knew that her eyes betrayed her. "Just because I don’t want any, doesn’t mean that I can’t ask if you are getting any." she grinned, then quickly added "Not that you should be getting any, your 15 for Gods sake."
Percy only laughed harder.
"Will and I are fine." Nico said, shortly. Giving Percy a side eye.
"Do you LoooOOOvvvVe him?” She teased.
Nico blushed. "…I guess." He muttered, looking down at the bread in his hands.
"Awwweeeee." Percy said.
Nico ran a hand down his face "please stop-"
But that only encouraged Percy "Nico and William, sitting in a tree-"
"Oh my gods-" Thalia wheezed.
"- K-I-S-S-"
"I will hurt you." Nico warned
"- I-N-G-" Percy continued
"Last warning" Nico said, putting down bread he had been snacking on.
"- First comes love. Then comes- AHHH" Percy screamed like a little girl, when Nico suddenly tackled him of the bench and to the ground.
Thalia jumped back on the bench to get out of the way of the two wrestling boys. Laughing at their antics.
"I’m gunna murder you!" Nico shouted
Percy only laughed "Good luck!" And they went back to rolling in the ground.
A few seconds later, Thalia laughs died down, as she watched her younger cousins roll around in the dirt.
Then all of a sudden, she got a tingling feeling in her gut. Like she was being watched.
And she had learned long ago to trust those instincts.
Immediately she glanced around, to see who was watching her, and her younger broth- cousins. A feeling of protectiveness stirring in her gut.
She spotted a few Nymphs walking by, looking at Percy and Nico rolling in the dirt, but they only looked amused. She saw Chiron talking to Apollo on the other side of the crowd, and they both glanced up at the commotion that is Percy and Nico, but they both only looked exasperated at the two boys antics.
And they were up against a wall, so no one could sneak up behind them.
So she did another scan of the crowd. The feeling of being watched still not going away.
But there was nothing. The only people who were really watching them were, Poseidon, Hades, and her Father, Zeus.
But she knew that she and her cousins, had noticed the three gods gazes lingering a little while ago, but were purposely ignoring it.
At this point, said cousins had stoped fighting, and slumped on ether side Thalia. And Percy, being ever so perceptive, immediately noticed Thalias eyes scanning the crowd.
"What is it?" Percy asked, sitting up straighter, Nico following suit do to Percy’s tone.
Thalia hummed "Do you guys feel like we’re being watched?" She kept her voice firm and steady, which was easy to do because she wasn’t scared (yet)
Percy immediately tensed and started scanning the crowd, and Thalia was confidant that if something was up, Percy would be the one to spot it.
"Now that you point it out… yeah I do." Nico said, doing a scan of the crowd himself.
There was a moment of tense silence as the three of them studied the crowd. But even with three pairs of eyes…
Percy sighed "I don’t see anything. The only thing that is off that I notice, is that all the Gods are being extra wary, and that’s probably just because of the early threat that was made before I was- you know- taken."
Nico nodded in agreement "I also don’t spot anything. But everyone knows that there was a threat made, so no one is letting their guard down. And with this many eyes-" he gestured to the whole party. "I doubt anything will get to far."
And Thalia couldn’t argue with that. But there was still that lingering feeling…
"Hey." Percy placed a hand on her shoulder, forcing her to look at his face. "Chances are, we are just being paranoid because of everything that has happened in these past weeks. And even if something were to happen, there are a lot of, people and Gods around. I think we are safe."
Thalia looked at Percy face, and remembered the fear she had felt when she had heard that her cousin was missing. She thought they would kill Percy. But here he was, in front of her. And his dad had saved him… she glanced back to where, Her father, Nico’s Father, and Percy’s father, were still keeping an eye on them. And she figured, as long as they stayed in their sight, nothing would touch them.
She sighed "You’re right." Her eyes flicking to her father for a moment
Percy followed her gaze, and understanding washed over his features as he looked back at her. "I’ll make sure to keep an extra eye out, just in case. But I do truly think that we are okay."
Nico nodded in agreement, his eyes also flicking to his own father for a split second.
Thalia took another breath "Okay."
They went back to talking after that. A comfortable back-and-forth of banter and teasing quips that were familiar to her. They walked over to the snack bar at some point, and got some more snacks, meeting Annabeth and Will while they were there, and talking with them for a bit.
Then suddenly, Hermes got on the mic.
"Ahem… Hello everybody! How are we doing today? We doing good? Good! Now, My children and myself had an idea, now as you know, we have a bunch of games and stuff around the area, but there is no competitive games. So! we thought, why not have a combat contest!? Who’s with me?"
There were a sires of cheers, as Percy and Annabeth shared a look.
Hermes grinned from where he was standing on a stage. "Thats what I like to hear! Now, this combat competition will be a little different from the ones we’ve had in the past. In order to enter, you have to put your name in a hat, and then I will randomly pull two names. Winner gets bragging rights! Those are the things that will stay the same. The thing that will change is, if you are a demigod, in order to enter, you must be 15 years old, or older, no exceptions."
She heard all of the younger demigod shout in protest.
"I know, I know, it sucks, but this is for your safety. Now, you also cannot put other peoples name in the hat, it has to be your own name. That way if people don’t want to participate, they don’t have to. Is everyone clear?" He asked
There were a sires of yeses. "Good. All the fights will be held in the west courtyard, if you want in, come and see me." And the God began to make his way to said courtyard.
"Any of you putting your name in?" Will asked
Annabeth hummed "What do you think seaweed brain? Gunna put your name in?"
Percy shrugged "Maybe. Probably not though. I’m not one for fighting just for the sake of it."
"I may throw my name in there." Thalia said.
Annabeth nodded "I may as well. I’m never opposed to some friendly competition." She grinned
Nico sighed tiredly "if Percy puts his name in, I’ll put my name in."
Percy gasped dramatically "Well now I have to put my name in! Come on! Let’s go."
Annabeth and Thalia both rolled their eyes.
They made their way to the west courtyard.
They were unsurprised the see that this is where most of the crowd had shifted. It was a simple set up. There was a white painted circle on the ground where people would spar, and a red painted circle outside of that to keep people at a safe distance. And Hermes sat at a table with a bowl that already had a good amount of names.
She, Annabeth, Nico, and Percy all walked up to Hermes, and his eye lit up when he saw them.
"Well, well, well, looks like we may have some competition after all!" The god grinned.
Thalia rolled her eyes.
"Where do we write our names?" Percy asked.
Hermes handed the each a peace of paper, and the all wrote their names
Percy put 'Percy Jackson' Annabeth put 'Annabeth Chase' Nico put 'Nico d’Angelo' and Thalia put 'Thalia Grace'
They folded up their papers, and thew them in the bowl. Hermes shook the bowl around a bit, to shuffle the names.
"It’s like the fucking hunger games" Percy muttered.
Annabeth let out a surprised laugh.
Hermes cringed "I promise, this is not like the hunger game. Ares and Aphrodite are literally watching over there to make sure nobody accidentally hurts themselves." He gestured to the god of war, who was leaned up against a tree, next to Aphrodite "And Athena is around here somewhere." he muttered, before shaking his head. "Anyway, I’ll yell your name whenever it gets drawn."
"Thanks Hermes!" Annabeth Said, as they walked off.
They watched the spears for a little bit, and were pleased to see that it was very well behaved. No one was playing dirty, and if so one did start getting a little to rowdy, Ares or Aphrodite would step in. And if the pairings where obviously to unbalanced, Hermes would re-draw.
There was only one time where Hermes drew names and couldn’t tell it was an unbalanced match. But Percy had spotted it, because he had taught both of the people sword fighting, so he knew, and told Hermes before they started fighting.
They watched the spars for about half an hour before one of their names were called.
"And next we have…" Hermes dug around in the bowl for a moment, before pulling a name "Charisse La’Rue!"
"Oh shit." Percy whispered, fully invested.
Hermes put his hand back in the bowl, pulling another name "and her opponent will be…" he glanced at the name he pulled, and his eyes went wide. "Oh my stars…" he said, amusement dripping from his tone "Annabeth Chase!"
Nico laughed. And all the demigods in the area gasped. Even the gods seemed to look up from their conversations, mainly because, Thalia knew, this was the first fight that would be an actual, experienced spar.
Ares seemed to perk up with interest, she saw Athena, who was talking with Zeus, turn her head, watching as Annabeth and Clarisse met in the middle of the circle.
The two girls traded a few words, before going to their respective half’s of the circle, and falling into offensive stances.
"You got this Babe!" Percy cheered.
"This is gunna be good." Nico said, also invested. (Not that Thalia wasn’t)
"My dad just started paying attention." Percy noted.
Thalia glanced at the god of the seas, and saw that he had shifted his gaze to the makeshift child fighting ring. (They were all having fun, so it was fine)
Annabeth and Clarisse didn’t need a countdown, having spared enough with each other to know when they were ready.
They lunged for each other, sword on spear, and even match, two experienced warriors, ether could win.
"C’mon Annie!" She shouted
They traded blows for a bit, Clarisse managed to land a good hit on Annabeth’s shoulder, cutting through the skin a bit. If it were anyone else, Ares or Aphrodite would have stepped in at the sight of the blood, but they knew that this spar was different than others.
Unlike others, these two women were experienced. If one became too aggressive, the other would stop. If one accidentally landed a serious blow the spar would immediately end, no hesitation.
In short, a little blood was okay between these two, because Clarisse and Annabeth knew fully what they were doing.
When Annabeth managed to slash a shallow cut on Clarisse’s shin, Thalia watches as Athena, and Poseidon both cheered. Before locking eyes with each other, and looking appalled at being on the same team. Before something along the lines of understanding passed between them, and the look was gone.
Invested in the fight, she didn’t notice when one of her huntresses began approaching her before they were right next to her.
"Lieutenant!"
Thalia’s head snapped to her huntress.
"Zara!" She said, standing up, and studying the out of breath Huntress.
Percy and Nico both stood as well, hearing the distress in Zara’s voice.
Zara was one of the huntresses Thalia was able to remember the name of, due to the fact that she had joined shortly after Thalia.
"Come quick! Some of the other hunters got into a fight, they are super mad at each other!" She said, before running off, expecting Thalia to follow.
Thalia shared a look with her cousins, before running and following, knowing that Percy and Nico were right behind her.
They ran close to full speed for about three minutes, and Thalia was waiting for the shouts of a fight to come.
They didn’t.
And all of a sudden, they were half a mile away from the party, in the alleyways of Olympus.
It was when they stoped, in a random alley, with no fight to be seen, that Thalia’s instincts screamed 'RUN'
She didn’t.
"I don’t understand." Thalia said, her hand twitching, already beginning to reach for the spear strapped to her back.
(She saw Percy’s hand go to his pocket, and Nico reach for his sword at his hip.)
"There is no fight." Zara said, her voice carefully neutral in a way that gave Thalia goosebumps. "As long as you cooperate."
She heard it before she felt it. The sound of a darts being shot from a blow gun- no not just one blow gun, she heard two.
None of them had time to react, as she felt two darts hit her in the back of the neck. And she watched, as four more shot Percy and Nico.
Percy drew riptide, but it didn’t matter. Thalia felt the effects of the darts kick in.
Sleeping darts. Made from liquefied Hypnos power and stinging nettles. Along with some other powerful herbs (Magic and natural herbs, because mixing magic and natural ingredients always had a strong effect)
Fuck.
She felt as her muscles went limp, she did her best to stay standing. But not even so one as someone powerful as Percy, Nico, or herself, could fight the effect of these darts.
These were made by Zoë Nightshade, before Thalia was even alive, and had been tested countless times. There was no getting out if it.
"You’re a traitor." Thalia rasped as she fell to the ground.
"Not a traitor if I was never loyal in the first place."
The last thing Thalia saw before fully blacking was a flash of golden light.