Chapter 16: The Gathering Storm
A/N: What's up my glorious readers. As you can see, I'm making every effort to be more active with my updates. This story is likely going to undergo some massive re-writes of earlier chapters as, frankly, they suck in my opinion. So, thanks for reading and always review. Oh yeah, nothing you recognize belongs to me.
Angmar POV
Angmar strode soundlessly through the streets of St. Louis, gazing at the seemingly mindless mortals that made up the populace of the city. Angmar sneered in disgust at how the mortals took advantage of one another to get ahead in life.
'I'll be doing Olympus a favor.'
Angmar thought to himself. Few if any mortals took notice of his presence. Angmar then noticed the famous arch of the city. Memories began flooding through Angmar's mind, him falling towards the river below as the side of the arch exploded with fire, him fighting the mother of all monsters. Angmar shook his head before he couldn't remember why he was here. Angmar glared once more at the arch and teleported back to his army's camp. As his vision cleared, Angmar noticed one of his massive starships had just entered a low orbit and was disgorging several landing craft. Angmar mentally contacted the Arbiter, calling the Sangheili to him. The Arbiter arrived just as the first landing craft touched down, disgorging its cargo of what appeared to be a wriggling mass. As the Arbiter approached, Angmar asked,
"What is that Arbiter?"
"That is a pair of Mgalekgolo warriors, my warriors had to calm them for transport."
"Ah, have you finished the Mgalekgolo's armor and weapons?"
"We have, and my warriors picked up five of our Wraith tanks as well."
Angmar nodded then asked,
"How soon can you have all your warriors and vehicles ready for battle?"
"In an hour at the fastest, why do you ask Leader?"
"I want to test the Mgalekgolo and your Wraith tanks."
"Against what my lord?"
"St. Louis and its inhabitants."
The Sangheili's face, if it could, betrayed a look of shock.
"Leader, is the city of military value?"
"Yes, it is, it's Arch is a symbol of hope for Chaos's army."
The Arbiter nodded and replied,
"My warriors will do as you command Leader."
Angmar nodded and gazed at the city of St. Louis, prepared to watch it all collapse. After waiting for a half hour, Angmar saw a massive glob of plasma launch from the lead Wraith tank and burn clean through a building, melting its supports, causing the building to collapse into another skyscraper. Angmar smiled savagely and watched as St. Louis erupted into a war zone. Angmar could hear the mortals crying and fleeing in terror. Angmar heard the roar of a Mgalekgolo warrior, followed by a massive explosion. Angmar noticed that the St. Louis Arch had been hit by the Mgalekgolo's plasma cannon, causing it to weaken. Gunfire erupted through the city as the mortal police attempted to halt the attack.
Annabeth POV
The first war council that involved all deities wasn't going very well. The culture shock of working with the Norse gods was the major issue. Chaos did his best to smooth the creases but the Olympic gods were to hard headed.
"Enough!"
Cronus, the primordial of time, slammed his staff down. Everyone quieted down immediately.
"Now that you've stopped acting as children, we can plan on how to stop Order and redeem young Perseus."
"Perseus Jackson is a traitor!"
Zeus roared. Several Olympian and Norse gods nodded in agreement. Chaos spoke,
"Do you truly believe that Percy, the twice savior of the world, would betray the very people he loved? This hero, and he is still a hero. This hero bled more for Olympus in his 20 short years of life than any mortal I've ever created."
Annabeth noticed the gods looked slightly ashamed but were adamant in their thinking. Annabeth again saw a look of contempt cross Chaos's face as he looked at the gods. Chaos suddenly said,
"If you all don't stop fighting and bickering like children, I will be forced to pull my army out of this war and force to fight it yourselves, which is something I truly do not wish upon you."
A look of fear arose over all the gathered beings as they realized the creator was deathly serious. Chaos seemed to be satisfied with this and said,
"Now, if you are done arguing, I have a plan. I will need you to allow my general command of your individual armies so we may have more cohesion in battle."
A few of the more paranoid deities protested but were soon silenced by a single look from Cronos. Once Chaos was sure he had everyone's support, he said,
"If you will excuse me for but a moment, I must contact my general so she may meet you all."
After a tense, few minutes, that felt like hours to Annabeth, Omega, AKA Thalia, teleported into the throne room and bowed before Chaos.
"Rise my child, and remove your helmet."
Thalia simply nodded, removed her helmet, and gazed upon the gathered gods, titans, and primordials. Zeus and Jason both looked like they'd been sucker punched. Thalia smiled reassuringly at the two then made eye contact with the others. Annabeth nodded encouragingly at Thalia, letting her know that she had her back. Thalia began speaking,
"Now I know that you all thought me dead, but I am alive and ready to lead the fight against Angmar's legions."
Zeus spoke up,
"Daughter, do you have a plan?"
"Lord Zeus, of course I have a plan. But I will need command of your armies. All of them."
Thalia turned to the gods of Asgaard,
"Even yours, Valhalla needs to be emptied. Angmar's forces on Earth now are only a fraction of his full strength. Order has ordered his son to take earth with a small force so they may form a galaxy spanning empire."
Thor turned to Odin and had a short conversation that Annabeth couldn't hear. After a few short minutes, Odin said,
"Chaos Commander Omega, we pledge our full strength to you. May they die glorious deaths in your service."
Thalia nodded and turned to the titans and asked the same question. The gathered titans had a short debate, until Kronos nodded and pledged their armies to Chaos. Annabeth felt hope rising in her chest as each deity strengthened Chaos' forces with their own armies. Thalia, with finality turned to Annabeth and the gathered camp counselors.
"I know you all want revenge, but vengeance is what got us in this situation. That and the corruption of Order. You all need to focus on how to bring Percy back to us so he may take up his rightful as Chaos's true heir."
Annabeth said,
"I think I speak for the all of us when I say this. We know our duty Thalia, we have your back 100 percent."
Thalia nodded, and Annabeth began thinking how to do what she promised. Annabeth suddenly heard Chaos's voice in her head,
"Child, do not over think right now. We have time. A limited amount but we do have some. I will assist you as best I can, for I love my son as much as you do."
"Thank you my lord."
Annabeth saw Chaos smile from where she stood. Once Thalia and the gods had a plan set in stone, Chaos adjourned the war council to allow everyone to prepare their armies. Annabeth was about to flash back to Camp Half-Blood with the rest of her friends when Thalia and Chaos called her to stay back. Annabeth turned to the two with a quizzical look on her face. Thalia spoke first,
"How you holding up?"
"I'm fine, just stressed about this whole mess."
Thalia laughed and said,
"You and me both."
Chaos cleared his throat and began,
"Annabeth, I need you to be fully aware about your role in this war. I will not lie, whether we live or die, the fate of earth rests on your shoulders."
Annabeth nodded and replied,
"I know Lord Chaos, I will do my utmost to save us all. But, I have my doubts about whether or not I'll be able to."
"Do not worry yourself about that, Thalia and I will be there every step of the way. And I have a proposition for you."
"What is it?"
"I wish to adopt you into my family, naming you as my chief strategist and main ambassador to the Olympians, if you will accept."
"I accept with every fiber of my being, if it allows me even a slightly better chance at success."
Angmar POV
Angmar looked upon the burning ruins of St. Louis with satisfaction. Another mortal city laid waste by his righteous might. Angmar's communicator went off,
"My son, how goes the campaign?"
"Father, my forces have halted at the Mississippi River for the moment to prepare ourselves for the final assault against Mt. Olympus and New York City."
"Good. I have just received word that Chaos has secured the loyalty of the Olympians, the Norse gods, the Titans and several other primordials."
"Who hasn't sided with them?"
"Tartarus is the only one that I am aware of, but I doubt he would get involved in this war."
"I will send General Sauron to him with offers of power over all earth for his support. Chaos outnumbers us too greatly now. We need reinforcements father."
"I've already dispatched several more legions of Uruks and Olog-Hai to you. They should arrive in a day or two."
"Thank you, father, I regret that this war has taken up so much of our forces already."
"It matters not, once we wipe out the gods' and Chaos's forces, we will be unopposed. Order out."
Angmar mentally called Sauron to him, so he could dispatch the general to Tartarus with all due haste.