The Tower of Nero
Chapters - Rick Riordan
Chapter 1: Two-headed snake dude / Jamming up my quiet ride / Also, Meg's shoes stink
Apollo and Meg travel by Amtrak train from Washington, DC towards New York for their final confrontation with Nero. A two-headed amphisbaena on the train delivers a prophetic message about the son of Hades showing a secret way. The snake is killed by crossbow bolts from Luguselwa, a Gaul warrior who works for Nero, and a Germanus guard named Gunther. Meg recognises Lu, calling her by name - she is from Nero's household and calls Meg 'Sapling'.
POV: Apollo·On page: Meg McCaffrey, Luguselwa, Nero, Gunther·Mentioned: Nico di Angelo
Source: Fandom
Chapter 2: Pastries for dinner? / Your fave Lester could never / Got to pee. Later.
Apollo and Meg negotiate with Luguselwa, who reveals she is secretly working against Nero. She has been protecting Meg's interests within the emperor's household. Lu offers to help them infiltrate Nero's tower in Manhattan.
POV: Apollo·On page: Meg McCaffrey, Luguselwa, Nero
Source: Fandom
Chapter 3: Arrow of wisdom / Hook me up with a hideout / No, not that one. NO!
The group arrives in New York and seeks refuge. Apollo must find Nico di Angelo, the son of Hades mentioned in the prophecy, who can show them a secret way into Nero's tower.
POV: Apollo·On page: Meg McCaffrey, Nero
Source: Fandom
Chapter 4: This child is too cute / Please, no more adorable / Whoops. My heart just broke
Apollo encounters the children of Nero's household, including young demigods the emperor has been raising as his own. He sees the parallels to Meg's upbringing and the psychological damage Nero has inflicted.
POV: Apollo·On page: Meg McCaffrey, Nero, Aemillia, Lucius, Cassius, Estelle Blofis, Sally Jackson, Paul Blofis·Mentioned: Percy Jackson, Annabeth Chase
Source: Fandom
Chapter 5: No swearing at the / Table? Then don't talk about / That #@$%-@&* Nero
Apollo and his allies gather at Camp Half-Blood to plan the assault on Nero's tower. Will Solace and Nico di Angelo join the mission. Rachel Elizabeth Dare provides prophetic guidance despite Python's interference.
POV: Apollo·On page: Meg McCaffrey, Nero, Will Solace, Nico di Angelo, Rachel Elizabeth Dare, Chiron, Dionysus·Mentioned: Python, Percy Jackson, Annabeth Chase
Source: Fandom
Chapter 6: Bye, Luguselwa. / Don't forget to write if you / Ever hit the ground.
Luguselwa demonstrates her loyalty by sharing intelligence about Nero's defences. She reveals the layout of his tower and the location of the captive children and the fasces that sustain Nero's immortality.
POV: Apollo·On page: Meg McCaffrey, Luguselwa, Nero, Will Solace, Nico di Angelo, Rachel Elizabeth Dare, Chiron, Dionysus
Source: Fandom
Chapter 7: Chariot of dam- / Nation, why stoppest thou here? / I don't use your app.
Apollo and his companions journey into Manhattan. They encounter various obstacles placed by Nero's forces. The prophecy's guidance about the son of Hades becomes crucial.
POV: Apollo·On page: Meg McCaffrey, Nero, Julia Feingold, Will Solace, Nico di Angelo, Rachel Elizabeth Dare, Chiron, Dionysus, Sherman Yang, Harley
Source: Fandom
Chapter 8: I am Mr. A / I am here to fix toilets / And also pass out.
The group infiltrates Nero's neighbourhood in Manhattan. They adopt disguises and work to avoid the emperor's extensive network of spies and guards.
POV: Apollo·On page: Meg McCaffrey, Nero, Screech-Bling
Source: Fandom
Chapter 9: Breakfast is the meal / With pancakes and burnt yogurt / And insanity.
Apollo and his allies share a meal and make final preparations before the assault on Nero's tower. The gravity of their mission weighs on everyone.
POV: Apollo·On page: Meg McCaffrey, Nero, Screech-Bling, Will Solace, Nico di Angelo, Dionysus
Source: Fandom
Chapter 10: Huevos rancheros / Do not go with prophecies / Much like happiness.
A new prophecy is received, confirming Apollo must face Nero alone. The prediction includes ominous warnings about dissolution and the price of defeating Python.
POV: Apollo·On page: Meg McCaffrey, Nero·Mentioned: Python
Source: Fandom
Chapter 11: I apologize / To my arrow, and undies / And, well, everything.
Apollo apologises to his Arrow of Dodona and reconciles his relationship with the magical weapon. He prepares his full arsenal for the final battle.
POV: Apollo·On page: Meg McCaffrey, Will Solace, Nico di Angelo·Mentioned: Grover Underwood
Source: Fandom
Chapter 12: Billionaire's warehouse. / Grab your chocolate drink quickly, / The cows are watching.
Apollo and his companions scout Nero's tower and its defences. They discover the emperor has prepared for their assault with magical wards and armies of guards.
POV: Apollo·On page: Meg McCaffrey, Nero, Julia Feingold, Will Solace, Nico di Angelo, Dionysus, Sherman Yang
Source: Fandom
Chapter 13: There is no blueprint / For taking down emperors. / Wait. Rachel has one.
Rachel Elizabeth Dare provides a blueprint of Nero's tower using her artistic and investigative skills. The group finalises their battle plan with multiple teams assigned different objectives.
POV: Apollo·On page: Meg McCaffrey, Nero, Will Solace, Nico di Angelo, Rachel Elizabeth Dare, Dionysus·Mentioned: Harpocrates
Source: Fandom
Chapter 14: I fall in a hole / And choke on my own anger. / I am a cow. Moo.
Apollo falls into a trap but uses his growing divine abilities to fight his way out. His godly power surges unpredictably, stronger than ever but still unreliable.
POV: Apollo·On page: Meg McCaffrey, Will Solace, Nico di Angelo, Rachel Elizabeth Dare, Dionysus
Source: Fandom
Chapter 15: It's raining red cows, / But I don't care. I'm singing, / Singing in the cows!
Nico di Angelo uses shadow-travel to transport the group, narrowly saving Apollo and Meg from invulnerable red tauri silvestres (bulls). Will Solace and Rachel accompany them. Nico's powers strain under the effort of multiple shadow jumps.
POV: Apollo·On page: Meg McCaffrey, Will Solace, Nico di Angelo, Rachel Elizabeth Dare
Source: Fandom
Chapter 16: Will Solace, healer, / The hero we don't deserve, / He has Kit Kat bars.
Will Solace demonstrates his healing abilities, treating injuries sustained during the battles. He provides Kit Kat bars alongside medical care, earning everyone's gratitude.
POV: Apollo·On page: Meg McCaffrey, Will Solace, Nico di Angelo
Source: Fandom
Chapter 17: Speak to me of soup. / Let it be savoury broth / With a hint of skink.
The group takes shelter and regroups. They share information and refine their plan for the assault on Nero's tower, accounting for the new intelligence they've gathered.
POV: Apollo·On page: Meg McCaffrey, Nero, Will Solace, Nico di Angelo
Source: Fandom
Chapter 18: Our special tonight: / A lovely braised Apollo / Under a Mets hat
Apollo disguises himself and enters Nero's territory. The infiltration begins as multiple teams launch their separate operations.
POV: Apollo·On page: Meg McCaffrey, Nero, Screech-Bling, Will Solace, Nico di Angelo
Source: Fandom
Chapter 19: Flow on, River Ouch! / Take me - ouch! - away from - ouch! / Blessed River - ouch!
Apollo navigates underground tunnels beneath Nero's tower, guided by Nico's knowledge of the underworld passages. The route is treacherous but avoids the tower's main defences.
POV: Apollo·On page: Meg McCaffrey, Nero, Screech-Bling, Will Solace, Nico di Angelo
Source: Fandom
Chapter 20: Have you had your lunch? / This part is not good to read / If you've just eaten.
Apollo fights through Nero's guards in the lower levels of the tower. The battle is gruesome and tests his newly returned combat abilities.
POV: Apollo·On page: Meg McCaffrey, Nero, Screech-Bling, Will Solace, Nico di Angelo
Source: Fandom