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 9: Battles to Come

Third Person POV

Six white vans pulled up to the sidewalk of the Empire State Building. The building was bustling with activity. Annabeth and Thalia opened the door to the first van and stepped out.

"How are we going to lay low with all these people?" Thalia asked as her eyes darted around taking in the people around her.

Annabeth handed her a school backpack. "We keep up the act; we're a high school field trip, remember?" Annabeth said pointedly. Thalia's eyes widened before a wicked grin spread across her face.

"This is so cool," Thalia said with a very bad valley girl accent. Annabeth rolled her eyes.

The rest of the campers left the vans. Sixty demigods stood on the sidewalk in front of the Empire State Building. Everyone gathered around Annabeth. The daughter of Athena looked at everyone carefully before continuing the act. "Okay, I want everyone on their best behavior. Let's go inside. I want a double line. Good, now follow me," Annabeth said as the demigod students followed her into the lobby. The guard at the desk stared at them in surprise. Thalia and Annabeth walked up to him carefully.

Thalia leaned forward until she was only a foot from the guard. "I think you better hand over the key," Thalia said. "This many demigods in one room will alert every monster in the tri-state area." Thalia pointed to the mass of half bloods behind her. Annabeth just smiled at her comments.

The guard fumbled with the key until Thalia finally pulled them away from his hands. Annabeth turned to the two lines of demigods behind her. "Thalia will take the first group and third group while I take the second and fourth groups," Annabeth said.

Mount Olympus - three hours later

The demigods setup camp in the many parks and gardens around the great city of Olympus. Thalia and Annabeth sat on a park bench with a radio in hand. They were listening intently for any reports that could be an attack by Loki's forces. An emergency alert siren squawked across the radio, until a man's voice began to speak, "There is an unknown illness striking the citizens of New York. All hospitals within Manhattan have been flooded with victims. The mayor has announced that people should evacuate the city once they are checked out for the illness. The symptoms of the illness are slow breathing and a coma like state. If anyone you know has these symptoms please take them to the nearest medical facility. Currently, there have been no fatalities from this illness, but authorities are concerned that the illness could worsen or mutate from its current form. Please leave the island, if able. We will keep everyone posted as new events occur, thank you."

Thalia and Annabeth just stared at each other in shock. "Could this be part of Loki's plan?" Thalia asked.

Annabeth looked at her friend as her mind raced with ideas. "It could be and didn't Percy say something about Morpheus?" Annabeth asked. Thalia nodded. "This could be part of the power that Loki stole from him."

"So thats how he's going to get through the city. He's going to put everyone in a coma," Thalia said.

Annabeth thought about that and it made sense, but something still seemed off. "It is certainly part of his plan, but I bet he has more tricks in store for us," Annabeth said. Thalia nodded.

Northern California

The Olympians and their champion appeared in a large clearing a hundred miles north of San Francisco. The shadows around them morphed until Hades and Mrs. O'Leary stepped out of the darkness. Percy smiled at the sight of his uncle and his pet.

Hades stepped up beside Zeus and Percy. Athena joined them a moment later. "What's the plan?" Hades asked.

Athena looked at all of them. "We split up as Percy suggested. We fight until we win," Athena said.

Percy smiled at his sister. "That's got to be the simplest plan you've ever come up with," Percy said.

Athena nodded. "I know and believe me I don't feel good about it," she admitted.

Zeus looked at his daughter for a moment before a steely glare of determination flashed across his electric blue eyes. "Percy, Hades, Hera, Apollo, Ares, Hephaestus, Dionysus and I will travel south to fight the frost giants," Zeus said. "Athena will lead Artemis, Aphrodite, Hermes, Demeter, Poseidon and Mrs. O'Leary against the fire giants that are heading toward San Francisco."

Percy walked up to Athena and gave her a hug. They both smiled as they pulled apart. "Good luck," Percy said. Percy whistled as Mrs. O'Leary approached. He rubbed behind her massive head. "Girl, listen to Athena; she will lead you into battle." Percy leaned forward and whispered into the hellhound's ear. "Keep her safe." Percy stepped away from Athena and her group as he approached his father and the others.

Athena and her team smiled before disappearing into a golden light. Mrs. O'Leary barked loudly before disappearing into the nearest shadow.

Zeus turned toward the others. "Percy are you ready?" Zeus asked.

Percy stepped toward his father until he was only a few feet in front of him. The others stood around the champion of Olympus in a circle. Percy stared at his father for a moment. He closed his eyes and began to chant in the ancient language of Asgard. His sea green armor covered his body and the great helmet of Thor covered his head. He continued to chant as the gods of Olympus watched. The ring on his right hand began to glow as it transformed into the greatest weapon of Asgard, Mjolnir.

"I will open a portal; it will lead us to the frost giants," Percy said.

Hades stepped forward. "We can just transport ourselves there once we know the location," Hades said.

Percy regarded his uncle for a moment before shaking his head. "No, they will sense you coming. Mjolnir can help me find them, but we will need to transport you," Percy said.

The gods stared at the champion of Olympus, and then at his weapon. "You speak as if that weapon is alive," Ares said curiously.

Percy smiled at his brother. "It is alive," Percy said. The gods all looked at him curiously. "Mjolnir is a part of me and I a part of it. Together we are unstoppable, so far."

"Everyone leave Percy alone. We will have plenty of time for questions once the frost giants are defeated," Zeus said. The King of the gods gave his son a nod.

Percy closed his eyes holding Mjolnir in his outstretched hands. The great hammer began to glow a beautiful sea green color, until the light faded and Percy opened his eyes. He looked at the gods around him as a broad smile crossed his face. "I know where they are," Percy said. The gods all smiled in return. "Gather around me."

The gods stood around the adopted son of Zeus. Percy extended Mjolnir in front of him as he began to chant in the ancient language of Asgard. Suddenly, a vortex of blue energy appeared in front of them. Percy motioned for the gods to enter the portal. Zeus looked around at the other gods; they looked fearful of the vortex. Zeus gave Percy a reassuring smile before the King of the Olympians stepped through the portal. The others followed their leader. Percy took one final look around before he too stepped through the vortex.

San Diego, CA

The wind whipped along the sandy beach stirring up small cyclones of sand and rain. Large hail stones the size of softballs crashed agains the ground pelting cars and homes mercilessly. The rain became colder as the storm approached the shoreline. The freezing rain stuck to every tree and surface. Mortals fled before the power of the approaching storm. Little did any of them know that this storm was far from natural. The frost giants were coming and they would leave nothing but destruction in their wake.

A large vortex of blue energy appeared on the beach. The mortals had fled, so no one saw the Olympian gods and the heir to Thor step through the swirling maelstrom of energy. The vortex disappeared and the gods stared in wonder at the power of Percy and the great Mjolnir.

Apollo stepped up to his little brother and placed a hand on his shoulder. "That was awesome, so much better than teleportation," Apollo said. Percy smiled at his older brother's antics.

Zeus rolled his eyes at Apollo's childish ways, but he was proud that his two sons got along so well. Hades stepped up beside his brother. "At least some brothers get along," Hades said.

Zeus looked at his older brother. He still felt guilty over what he did to Maria Di Angelo. He lost his temper and killed a young woman. A woman his brother loved. "Hades," Zeus began. His older brother looked at him curiously. "I... I'm sorry for what happened to Maria." Hades just looked at his little brother. Zeus had never really apologized one on one like this before. Yes, he did try to make amends earlier, but this was different.

"We are family," Hades said. "I guess we should act like it more often." Hades gave his brother his best smile. One that he rarely used. The two brothers felt a presence behind them. They turned to see the champion of Olympus smiling at them.

"Its about time that you two forgave each other," Percy said. Even with the winds and rain pelting them; the three just smiled at each other. The King of the gods and the lord of the dead both looked at Percy. The champion of Olympus's face seemed to darken. The two gods turned to see a pale blue storm cloud heading toward the beach. They turned back to Percy and the heir of Thor's face could barely contain the rage that boiled within him.

"Son, are you okay?" Zeus asked worriedly.

Percy nodded. His sea green armor glowed. "Get ready," Mjolnir glowed with power. "I shall greet the enemy." Before Zeus or Hades could say anything Percy flew into the air at incredible speed. He flew toward the immense storm cloud. As he approached he could see large figures within the clouds. He knew these were the frost giants. He flew into the clouds. The freezing rain and hail stones tried to strike him, but they never reached him as the power of Mjolnir blocked any attempt to strike its master.

Percy hovered in the air surrounded by the winds and rain. The rain turned to sleet and then snow as the giants grew nearer. Suddenly, the largest of the giants appeared in front of the grandson of Odin. The giant's skin was blue and he had a white beard that looked like it was made of ice. His eyes were blue like glacial ice. He stared at Percy for a moment before an evil grin spread across his face.

"The last child of Asgard," the giant said. "We've been expecting you."

AN: Sorry for the short chapter, but I just wanted to set the scene for the battle to come.