Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians or the Heroes of Olympus Series.
Story: Champion of Olympus: Child of the First One
Chapter 6: A Dangerous Beginning
Camp Half Blood
Third Person POV
Percy quickly got dressed and ran from the Tower of Asgard toward the Big House. He rushed through the front door to find Chiron and Mr. D sitting at the kitchen table playing pinochle.
"Percy, what's wrong?" Chiron asked worriedly.
"Sorry to interrupt, sir. I had a vision. I know Loki's plan. Well, at least part of it," Percy amended. Chiron and Mr. D stared at him as if begging the boy to explain. "He captured Rhea and Gaea. There is some ceremony that he must undertake on Olympus where he uses Gaea's connection to the Earth to destroy the world."
Chiron and Mr. D both sat at the table in shock at Percy's news. "I must go to Olympus. Zeus must know of this." Mr. D said.
"One last thing," Percy added. Mr. D stood up and turned toward his adopted brother. "Loki is going to unleash Norse giants against the gods. I saw him speak to their King; he will transport them to the west coast. He wants the gods distracted from his true target, Olympus."
Mr. D huffed. "Damn him, we can't allow the entire country to be destroyed just to defend Olympus."
"The campers and my brethren could defend Olympus until the gods arrive," Chiron suggested.
"A good plan, but I doubt the gods can defeat the giants by themselves. You know how hard it is for Greeks to fight Norse monsters; the giants will be even tougher," Percy said.
"You underestimate the gods," Mr. D said incredulously.
Percy stepped toward his adoptive brother. "And you underestimate the power of the giants and Loki," Percy argued. His face turned red with anger. Percy looked at Chiron; the old centaur stared at his student with a concerned expression. Percy sighed. He thought about his friends and the need to work together, even if his brother was an idiot. "This isn't time to be prideful. We need to work together. Chiron gave Percy a slight nod as Mr. D huffed in annoyance.
"We have Norse on our side too," Percy continued. Percy's ring on his right hand glowed as Mjolnir appeared. The legendary weapon glowed in Percy's hand. Mr. D and Chiron both stared at the weapon in awe.
Percy cleared his throat. Chiron and Mr. D broke away from sight of the great hammer.
"My family will need my help and I will not forsake them. Talk to our father, we need a plan. I'm sure Athena is up to the challenge," Percy said as he smiled at Chiron before walking out of the kitchen. As the heir of Thor exited the Big House Mjolnir turned back into a ring.
Once outside the Big House, Percy was confronted by Annabeth and Thalia. The two best friends looked at Percy curiously.
"What's going on, Kelp Head?" Thalia asked.
"We have plans to make. The camp will have to defend Olympus," Percy said. Thalia's eyes widened and Annabeth's eyes shone brightly when she heard the word plan. Percy went on to explain his vision and his discussion with Chiron and Mr. D.
"You're going to help the gods against the giants, aren't you?" Annabeth asked.
Percy sighed softly. "I wish I could help defend Olympus, but the gods will need me. Loki will do everything he can to keep them busy so he can reach Olympus. The Party Ponies will be there to assist and I know Mrs. O'Leary can help as well," Percy said.
Thalia stepped up to her brother and hugged him. She pulled away quickly. "You just make sure to come back to help us," Thalia said.
Percy smiled at his sister. "I promise," he agreed. Thalia looked at Annabeth and Percy; there was definite tension in the air.
"I should go to tell the others," Thalia said before running off.
Annabeth glared at Percy. The pained looked on his face showed that he knew what this conversation would be about. "Percy, you can't do everything. The gods are immortal; why do you have to help them over us?" Annabeth asked.
Percy looked down at his girlfriend. He found it hard to look into her intense grey eyes. "I have a feeling that Loki will throw everything he has at them to get them away from Olympus," Percy explained.
"So, you're more concerned for them, than us?" Annabeth asked with a hint of anger and disappointment in her eyes.
"I care for all of you. I can always get back here quickly, but they are my family and without them, what kind of world would we have? Loki is going to throw Norse creatures at them. His invasion of Olympus is centered on his demigod and monster force."
"What about the minor gods and Titans on his side?"
"Other than Nemesis, the minor gods are in hiding. The Titans are either dead or in hiding, except for Rhea who's imprisoned and Oceanus who's fighting Poseidon."
"You've really thought this out?" Annabeth gave him a surprised look.
Percy stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her protectively. "Yes, I have, but if you need me I will make sure that Huginn and Muninn are around Olympus. I know Brokkr and Sindri will help as well."
Annabeth wrapped her arms around Percy and buried her face in his shoulder. She pulled back just enough to stare into his eyes. "I love you." Annabeth said pulling away from him and then punching him in the arm hard. "Don't get killed Seaweed Brain."
Percy rubbed his shoulder. Annabeth could really pack a punch. Percy smiled down at her. "I love you too." He hugged her again and kissed her on the forehead.
Someone cleared their throat from behind them. The two pulled apart quickly to see Chiron smiling down at the two heroes from the Big House's porch.
"Sorry to interrupt; there is something on the television that you need to see, Percy," Chiron informed.
Annabeth and Percy followed Chiron into the Big House and on the television in the living room was the large screen television. A news alert was flashing across the screen as a reporter stood near a beach in Los Angeles. The three listened closely to the reporter.
"The storm surge has increased to a height of eight feet, but is expected to exceed fifteen feet by this evening. The temperatures in the Los Angeles area have plummeted by thirty degrees in the last four hours. Meteorologists have stated that this is an unprecedented event for southern California," the reporter explained. "Temperatures are expected to decrease another thirty degrees by this time tomorrow. A storm of unusual and unpredicted power is coming toward southern California. Already, the streets are flooded with people trying to escape the onslaught. I will have more to report in the next hour."
Annabeth and Percy turned their attention back to Chiron. The old centaur looked even older now. "I'm afraid that isn't the only bad news. The report on before this one stated that the Northwest has been hit with the most severe forest fires ever recorded. Almost half of the forests are on fire. Many homes have been destroyed and the death total appears to be in the thousands," Chiron said.
"Oh gods," Percy said. Annabeth and Chiron looked at the Champion of Olympus.
"What's wrong?" Annabeth asked worriedly.
"Loki has brought the fire giants to the West Coast. We'll have to fight both groups of giants. It will split our forces and I will only be able to help one group," Percy explained.
"Percy, what about Olympus?" Chiron asked.
"You'll have to take the campers, both Roman and Greek, to defend the Empire State Building. Don't let Loki get near it," Percy said. Chiron nodded.
"Percy, what are you going to do?" Annabeth asked.
Percy looked at his girlfriend with trepidation in his eyes. "I'm going to prepare to fight giants," Percy said before walking out the door.
Mount Othrys - The Black Fortress
Loki, the god of evil, sat on his black throne. He stared off into the distance like he was watching something far away.
The doors to the throne room opened and a tall figure in a black cloak entered the room. He seemed to float across the floor. He stopped at the foot of Loki's throne. The cloaked figure removed his hood and at first his face seemed to be obscured by the mist, but then the image cleared. The man had grey hair and a grey goatee. His eyes were a pale blue and his skin was deathly white.
"Ah, Morpheus, so good of you to join me," Loki said with fake sincerity.
Morpheus grimaced at the voice and piercing black eyes of the Norse god. "You called for me, my lord?" he asked.
"Yes. Tell me the plans that Kronos made you make for the attack on Olympus," Loki ordered.
Morpheus sighed. "I was to put the population of Manhattan to sleep, while the Titan slowed time to a crawl outside the island."
Loki stood from his throne and approached the minor god. "I have a few changes to this plan."
Morpheus stared at the god of evil curiously. "What kind of changes?" Morpheus asked.
Suddenly, Loki began to glow with a dark aura. His body began to grow and change until he was a giant golden cobra. The snake slithered toward Morpheus and the creature's eyes seemed to pulse with magic. Morpheus couldn't take his eyes off the giant serpent that Loki had become.
"I'm sssorry my friend, but I need your powersss," Loki hissed.
Morpheus just stood still, mesmerized by the snake's eyes and voice. The giant snake coiled itself around the god of dreams until there was no means of escape. The snake positioned its large head in front of Morpheus. The snake's gaping mouth and large fangs were only a foot from the god's face. Suddenly, the trance that Morpheus was under ceased and the god of dreams looked in terror at the snake in front of him.
"What are you doing?" Morpheus yelled as fear finally took over.
"Ssstarting my plan," the snake hissed as he struck forward and sunk its fangs into Morpheus's chest. The god's screams filled the throne room, until the dark room turned quiet as the venom of the snake pumped into the god. A few seconds later the snake pulled the last of the godly energy from the body of Morpheus. The snake uncoiled and Morpheus's body crumpled to black dust on the stone floor. A small ball of light escaped the remains and floated into the heavens toward the great void.
The snake began to glow until Loki the god of evil stood on the black stone floor of the throne room His black eyes gleamed in the dim light of the room.
"I see that you have initiated your plan my lord," a voice said from behind the throne. Loki turned to see a dark haired woman with dark brown eyes step out from behind the thrones.
"Yes, Nemesis," Lokis said. "Why are you always hiding back there?"
Nemesis gave the god of evil a sheepish look before a smile spread across her face. "I only come when I sense danger or something amiss with the balance of things."
Loki grinned evilly at the idea that the goddess was concerned for his well being. "My plan is in action. Soon Olympus will be mine and our revenge on this world will be complete."
Nemesis looked sadly at the remains of Morpheus. "Did you have to kill him?"
Loki stepped toward her until he was only a few feet in front of her. "I needed his powers. It was the only way. Don't tell me that you're having doubts about my plan?"
Nemesis shook her head vigorously. "No, my lord. I was just concerned for the loss of another ally," she explained.
"Don't worry, my dear, we still have plenty of allies. Besides, Morpheus was having his own doubts. I'm afraid he would have turned against us."
Nemesis stared at Loki in shock. "He was, but I thought he hated the Olympians?"
"He was plotting with Iapetus to take over after we destroyed Olympus."
Nemesis's eyes widened. "That's why you killed Iapetus."
"Of course, he could not be trusted. I'm afraid some of our allies are only using us. Once Oceanus dispatches Poseidon, he will try to take over as well. We must be prepared for these contingencies."
Nemesis nodded. "You never cease to amaze me my lord."
Loki smiled down at the goddess. "I have my moments. Now let's finish preparing my plan." Loki placed his arm protectively around Nemesis's shoulders as he led her out of the throne room.
AN: Starlit just reviewed this chapter and so you will see some improvement in it. Stay tuned there will be more t come as Percy and gods face the Norse giants.