Nico's song
Will POV
It was an exciting day at Camp Half blood. Apollo (the new director of camp) had decided that today would be a talent show. He told us two weeks ago that it was a required activity and if you didn't do anything, he would curse you so you only spoke in rhymes for the rest of the summer. I was super excited for this.
Ciel, Lou Ellen and I were in a band. We were going to perform for the first time ever. But, we needed a singer. None of us can sing. I play guitar, Lou piano, and Ciel drums.
I asked some of my half siblings to help, but they are all already doing something. When I asked Clarisse, who yes can sing really well, she told me to f-off. I asked others, but they all said no. And then this Happened:
Two weeks ago
"Will," I turn around to see Nico walking over to me, "What are you doing for the talent show? I need to find something, and was wondering if I could do it with you."
I smile at him, "Can you sing?" Nico blushes and nods, "Sort of. Why?" "Show me," I ask, "Sing something for me." His eyes go wide, "Here? With people around? What do you need me to sing for? Can't you sing?" I roll my eyes, "We can go to your cabin if you would like. To answer your other question, I can sing, but not in front of people. I have stage fright when It comes to that."
Nico gives me a look and snaps, "And you think I don't? I can hardly sing to myself, nevertheless in front of people." "You just haven't found your song yet. You need to find a song that speaks to you and it makes it a lot easier."
In his cabin Nico looks at me. "What do you want me to sing?" "Whatever you want. I won't judge you." He takes a deep breath and sings part of a song that is not in English. His voice is low and soft. When he finishes he looks at me nervously, "How was it? Sorry it wasn't in English, it it was it was the first song I thought of."
I sit on the bed with him, "That was beautiful. What was that?" Nico blushed red, "It's the lullaby my mamma sang when I was a baby. It's Italian if that's what you were going to ask next." I look at him, "Will you please perform with us? It's me, Ciel, and Lou Ellen. You can pick the song, all we need is the music." He nods and I kiss him on the forehead. "Thank you. Do you need any help finding your song?"
He shakes his head, "Come back at 5. I'll be ready by then." I smile at him. "I'll be back."
When I get out of the cabin, I run to tell Ciel and Lou Ellen the news.
Nico POV
When Will leaves I collapse on my bed. I already know what song I'm doing, I just need to learn the words.
Time skip to 5:00
Will and his friends are on time. I got the Stoll brothers to go and get copies of the music for everyone. "So, Nico," Lou Ellen says, "What song are we doing? I'm curious."
I give her a half smile and hand her the sheet. She takes one look at the title, and I see the sadness in her eyes. When she looks up her eyes have the same happy light they always did. "Is this song personal?" I nod, and she hugs me. I try to pull away, but she won't let go. This is worse than when Jason hugged me after I told him I was dating Will. She lets go of me and grabs the papers she dropped. "I'll go give the music to the boys.
After practice(A/N: Just because I am lazy)
"Wow," Will said, looking around, "We sounded pretty good. We still have room for improvement, but that was a good first go."
Present Time
Apollo POV
I don't know why Chiron hasn't done this before. It's a great way to get the kids to do somewhat mortal things, you always have the few that want to spar or use powers, without the fear of monsters.
I walk up to the stage that had been set up to explain the rules.
"Welcome everyone! This is the first annual demigod Talent Show. Now, before we get started, I have some things I need to discuss. You will wait in the audience until the act two before yours is onstage. When they are introduces make your way to backstage. We should have two acts only backstage at a time. You all have your number. When you are done return to the audience as quickly as possible. Most of your mortal parents are in the audience, and you can see them after the show. Also, for all the acts that involve singing or dancing, the lead's thoughts will be projected on the screen behind me. This is a contest, and I am judging it. Remember to have fun. The first group to perform will be Travis and Connor Stoll, doing a skit they wrote." I turn and walk off stage with the Stoll brothers running on.
Will POV
I look over at Nico, his face is really pale. He looks at me, "Will, I can't do this. I'm sorry." I grab onto his arm. "You are not shadow traveling out of here. I know you can do this." Nico shakes his head, "I can't." I have to stop him from leaving. The Stoll brothers finish, and Hazel and Frank come up. Lou Ellen comes up to us, "Time to go backstage." She grabs us by the wrists and drags us backstage.
Percy POV
Hazel and Frank did really well. They did a magic show. The next group was ok, dancing isn't my thing. It was Nico's group next. I had heard from Lou Ellen, that they were a band, so I was excited. I wondered what instrument Nico played.
When the group came out, Ciel went to the drums, Lou the piano, Will came out with guitar, and Nico came out with a microphone.
Nico can sing? What else has he not told us?
"Hey everybody," Will said, "We will be performing the Disturbed version of The Sound of Silence."
I see Nico take a deep breath and step up to the mike stand.
The screen flickers to life behind him as the first beats of the song start.
Hello darkness, my old friend
I've come to talk with you again
Behind Nico the screen shows him standing at the edge of tartarus then falling in.
Because a vision softly creeping
Left it's seeds while I was sleeping
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Nico is fighting of the goddess of misery and other monsters as Tartarus (in human form) laughs. In restless dreams I walked alone
Still remains within the sound of silence
Narrow streets of cobblestone
Nico traveling the labyrinth, saying things in Italian, crying.
'Neath the halo of a street lamp
I turned my collar to the cold and damp
Nico as a little boy, watching as another young boy is being forced in a truck, tears sliding down his face. When my eyes were stabbed
By the flash of a neon light
Little Nico and Bianca running to meet a young man that looked similar to them.
That split the night
Percy saw himself coming coming to get them from the school, and then Nico and Jason facing Cupid.
And touched the sound of silence
Will and Nico talking in the Big House, with Nico smiling. And in the naked light I saw
Ten thousand people, maybe more
Nico in the Fields of Asphodel pushing past the shades looking for someone. People writing songs
People talking without speaking
People hearing without listening
That voices never share
Nico in his cabin cutting himself, crying with blood and tears running down his arm. "Fools" said I, "you do not know
And no one dare
Disturb the sound of silence
Silence like a cancer grows
Nico hitting things in his room, he's crying.
Hear my words that I might teach you
Take my arms that I might reach you"
Nico, about 11, trying to get someone's attention.
But my words like silent raindrops fell
And echoed in the wells of silence
People passing him in camp, no one talking to him. Some avoiding him on purpose. And the people bowed and prayed
To the neon God they made
Nico in the Fields of Asphodel passing shades, as the shades shuffled around him. And the sign said
And the sign flashed out its warning
And the words that it was forming
"The words of the prophets
Are written on the subway walls
And tenement halls"
Nico was walking around in an old house, like he was looking for something.
And whispered in the sound of silence
When the last few notes ended, the crowd sat in a stunned silence. Then out of nowhere, everyone started clapping and cheering. Will guides Nico offstage and the next group came up.
Will POV
I feel bad that I made Nico do that. "Nico," Lou Ellen looked at Nico with cautious eyes, "Are you ok?" I look over at him and see that he is sitting on a chair staring off into space.
Nico shakes his head, "I'd like to be alone for a while. You guys go back and watch the show. I'll join you soon." We leave Nico alone as we go back to the show.
Nico POV
Why the he** did I do that? I let them see me weak. I shouldn't do that. I was weak enough to fall in love, why did I have to show everyone that.
"I'm leaving." I don't know why but, I say this out loud.
No one will know I left until I'm gone. I have to leave.
20 minutes later
I should be strong enough to shadow travel. I don't know where I'm going, but it will be far away from here.
I close my eyes and let the darkness surround me.
When I open my eyes, I look at my surroundings. Wherever I am it's dark. I try to move, but I can't. I'm too worn out from shadow travel. I can't take it and I let myself slip into into the realm of Morpheus.
*stunded* Wow. I was not expecting it to end like this, I promise. I was aiming for a happy ending, but when you are listening to the sound of silence over and over, the story does not end happy. I was going to make the end more Solangelo-y, but… wow. Do you want me to continue?