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 8: Flies in the Ointment
Third Person POV
Camp Half Blood
Annabeth and Thalia walked back to the Big House, as they approached two large black birds landed on the rail of the porch. The two demigods stopped in their tracks at the sight.
"Huginn and Muninn; why are you both here?" Annabeth asked curiously.
The two birds looked at the daughter of Athena with mischief in their dark black eyes. "We are following our lord's orders," Huginn said.
"We are to report to you daughter of Athena," Muninn said.
Annabeth looked at the two birds warily. Percy had explained to her how mischievous the two birds could be. They could be as bad as the Stoll brothers. Thalia looked at Annabeth with a smile on her face. "What are you smiling at?" Annabeth asked.
Thalia gave her friend a sly smile. "I think it's cute that your boyfriend told the birds to report to you," Thalia said mimicking an Aphrodite girl. The two ravens began to laugh at the daughter of Zeus's comment.
"I like her; she thinks like a raven," Huginn said. Thalia's eyes widened at the description.
Annabeth laughed at the idea. "I guess, I'm not the only one that can be called a bird brain," Annabeth said. Thalia frowned at the comment as she glared at the two birds. The ravens both jumped up and down excitedly on the porch rail.
"Let's go inside; I'm sure Chiron is waiting for us," Thalia said before walking up the stairs and through the door to the house. Annabeth followed as the birds flew through the door in front of her.
The two friends walked into the recreation room of the Big House. The six ping-pong tables had been pushed together and the head counselors of Greek and Roman demigods sat around the tables. Thalia sat by her brother Jason and Annabeth sat next to Bianca.
Chiron and Lupa walked into the room. Lupa was in her human form as the two sat at the head of the table.
"As most know we are here to discuss a grave matter. The gods and Percy are fighting the frost and fire giants in the West, but that is not Loki's entire plan," Chiron said before he gave Annabeth a nod.
Annabeth stood up; all eyes were on her. "Loki will attack Manhattan next. He will use his remaining monster and demigod force to strike the city," Annabeth said.
Jason stood up. "He can't have that many monsters or demigods left after the battle last summer. He lost too many forces in that battle," Jason said.
Annabeth nodded. "Correct, that's why I believe he has something planned. I don't know what, but he always has an evil trick up his sleeve," Annabeth said.
A loud caw rang through the room. Huginn and Muninn landed in the middle of the table. Everyone stared at the two large ravens.
"Our lord asked us to help in any way we can," Huginn said.
Chiron bowed to the two birds. "We appreciate your assistance," Chiron said.
"You are most welcome. The evil one must never be underestimated," Muninn said. "We agree with the daughter of Athena." Huginn nodded. "Loki has something planned; most likely a trick that no one could ever imagine. A secret plan more terrible than your worst nightmare."
Every demigod in the room looked at each other with dread. "No matter how terrible his plan may be, we cannot stand by and allow him to reach Olympus. If he succeeds the world will end," Lupa said. The ravens both nodded in agreement.
"We did not mean to frighten anyone. We only wish to warn all of you. Our lord knows what Loki is capable of doing. That is why he is helping the gods," Huginn said.
"Do not despair; the champion will not abandon you. We will see to that," Muninn assured.
The campers smiled at the bird's words. They knew that Percy wouldn't abandon them. Annabeth gave the Muninn a thankful glance. "We must prepare to leave. We have to get to Manhattan and setup a defense within the Empire State Building," Annabeth said.
Bianca stood up and looked at her friend worriedly. "What about the rest of the city?" She asked.
"We do not have enough resources to defend the entire city," Annabeth said. She sighed thoughtfully. "Look, he doesn't want the city just Olympus."
Bianca nodded before sitting back down. Thalia stood up next to her best friend. "You heard her, go to your cabins and get everyone ready. Everyone under ten stays here," Thalia said.
Jason stood and looked at his sister curiously. "Why ten?" Jason asked.
"They are too young to fight," Annabeth said.
"No, they're not, we fought from seven years old on," Reyna said.
Annabeth glared at the Roman. "We're not Roman," Annabeth said.
"Yeah, that's pretty obvious," Reyna quipped.
Annabeth's grey eyes intensified. "What do you mean by that?" Annabeth asked angrily.
Thalia put her hand on her friend's shoulder. She looked at her brother pleadingly. Jason stood and put his hand on his girlfriend's shoulder. "Rey, let it go. This is not the time to fight amongst ourselves. The younger kids can stay here and defend camp," Jason said, as Thalia sighed in relief.
Reyna looked up at her boyfriend. She closed her blue eyes for a moment before nodding. "Whatever, let's just get ready to go," Reyna said before turning and walking out of the room.
Jason sighed. "We better get going. Romans, move out," Jason said before leaving the room with the other Roman counselors.
Lupa looked at Chiron. The centaur looked at the table sadly. This reminded him of the past; the horrible conflict between the Greeks and Romans. Lupa could tell that her friend had a heavy heart. The mother of Rome stood and looked at the Greek demigods. "Go and get ready. We depart in three hours. Argus, I want you and the harpies to drive the vans," Lupa said. Argus looked at Chiron. The old centaur nodded. Argus left the room followed by the Greek campers, all except for Annabeth and Thalia.
Annabeth looked down at Chiron guiltily. "I'm sorry; this isn't the time to start a fight," Annabeth said.
Chiron just stared at the daughter of Athena sadly. "Yes, we must stay united or we'll play into Loki's hands," Chiron said. He looked at Thalia and Annabeth carefully. He was very proud of them; they were both leaders now. "Go and get ready." Annabeth and Thalia nodded before leaving the room.
"They are good leaders," Lupa said.
"Yes, they do their parents proud," Chiron agreed.
Lupa looked at Chiron worriedly. "Do you think the champion will succeed?"
Chiron looked at his old friend. He could tell she was worried. He could not blame her. "If he doesn't, this world will end."
Manhattan, NY
A large container ship sat low in the water at port. A large crane was moving shipping crates onto shore. A large wooden crate with no markings or numbers sat on the concrete dock. Two dockhands walked up to the crate. One of the workers flipped furiously through a ship manifest.
"Hey Jim, I don't see this crate listed," the shorter worker said.
The other worker walked up to him. His grey and black beard was shaggy and long. He walked around the crate looking for markings or labels. "There isn't a letter on this thing," Jim said. He looked back at the other worker with the manifest. "You sure it isn't on the list Bill."
Bill flipped through the list one more time. His eyes scanned the contents thoroughly. "Not on here," Bill said. "What should we do?"
Jim looked at the crate and then sighed tiredly. "I guess we have to open it," He said as he grabbed a crowbar off the ground. He walked to the crate and placed the flat end of the crowbar between the two pieces of wood that held the front of the crate together. He pulled hard straining as the nails to the crate began to strain and buckle. After a few seconds the nails pulled free and the side of the crate creaked open. Jim and Bill pulled the edge of the lid open until there was enough room for each one to slide inside with their flashlights at the ready.
The crate was mostly empty except for a ceramic jar with a few small holes poked in the tin lid. The two dock workers looked at each other curiously.
"Should we open it?" Jim asked. Bill nodded. Jim twisted the medal lid until he popped free. Suddenly, the sound of buzzing could be heard as ten little flies came out of the jar. They were bright red and seemed to give off their own light. The two workers just stared at the flies as the bugs circled the crate. The flies seemed to be interested in the two workers as they circled around them. They made no attempt to flee the crate.
'What kind of flies are those?" Bill asked curiously. Jim shook his head. Without warning one of the flies landed on Bill's bare hand. Bill looked at Jim and shrugged. The bug crawled carefully around the man's hand. Until it stopped as if it found what it was looking for, suddenly an intense pain shot up Bill's arm as the fly bit into his skin just above a vein in his hand. Bill cursed and slammed his hand against the side of the wood crate. The fly escaped the attack, but the other flies darted toward Jim; one biting him in the neck close to his jugular vein.
The flies immediately flew out of the crate as if their job was done. The two workers both rubbed where the bugs had bit them, but didn't seem any worse for wear. They exited the crate and walked towards their truck parked by the edge of the loading crane. Jim sat in the driver seat while his friend Bill sat in the passenger seat.
"That was weird; should we report it to the harbor master?" Jim asked.
Bill shook his head. "Nah, they wouldn't believe us anyway. Who ships a jar that small in a crate that big just for a few flies. It must be some stupid prank," Bill said. Jim nodded.
Bill looked out the window, but he noticed that Jim never started the truck. He looked back at his friend with a questioning glance. Jim was sitting in the driver seat his eyes glazed over as he took short quick breaths air. At first Bill thought he had fallen asleep, but his eyes were open.
"Jim, are you okay," Bill said before he tried to shake his friend out of his daze. Jim fell forward onto steering wheel has the vehicle's horn sounded. Bill reached forward to check his pulse, but suddenly his vision began to blur. He felt light headed and an intense feeling of sleepiness came over him. Bill reached for his radio to call for help, but he slumped forward as his head hit the dashboard roughly.
That night the flies made several calls upon the citizen's of Manhattan. Ambulances ran the streets as call after call came in about some strange sleeping sickness that began to take hold of the citizens of the city. Little did the the demigods that were racing to protect Olympus know that the final part of Loki's plan to take over the city and reach Olympus had begun.
AN: Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Starlit hasn't reviewed this but I can't keep you waiting, so Starlit's review will only improve the story. Stay tuned more to come.