Chapter 16: The Return

Chapter 16

The Return

~Earth: Olympus, 600th Floor, Empire State Building, Manhattan, New York~

||Annabeth Chase||

For once, the usual and chatter-filled room is quiet and gloomy. Everyone is absolutely still, dreading for the arrival of the Creator and the fearless, legendary Army Leaders. Even Timothy was quiet.

Suddenly, the room had turned colder and darker and a swirling vortex appeared as if all the lights had been sucked into the vortex. Everyone stiffened simultaneously and stood straight as the Creator stepped out of the vortex. Immediately, everyone bowed to him as if we had practiced is but we didn't. We felt the room return to its normal temperature just as Chaos' voice echoed around the throne room telling us to stand up. We obediently followed. He was the only one there.

His black hair was ruffled that immediately hit me with familiarity and there was nothing but void of emotions and coldness in his face. There was no wind and yet, his cape from his armor was flowing majestically. You can tell the material of his clothing was not made of this world.

"Lucky for you," his voice boomed, piercing us like a drill, "my son has agreed to help you. You all you should be thankful. My soldiers can fight for themselves but I am telling you this for your own sake. Gods and immortals, they are your allies and they will not bow to your every will. They are to help you in this unnecessary war. They had fought wars more times than you can count and will ever survive. They will handle this war and you will follow. You don't have to like them but cooperate if you want this world to survive. Keep your distance and do not test them and if you do, things would not go so well for you."

There was a heartbeat when all of a sudden, flashes of light kept appearing. I covered my eyes just as everyone had and waited until the flashing had stopped. Slowly, I removed my eyes still dazed from the sudden light show only to be jolted straight back up from reality.

It was like I was in a dream but a nightmare all at once. All the people--friends that I had thought--no, knew were dead stood there, looking stoic and very military like in their armor and capes with power in a V shape, except one person being up top, there was two.

Nico, Luke, Zoe, Leo, Bianca, Ethan, Silena, Beckendorf, Michael Yew and Castor. 

They all stood there. I felt my body move, gravitating towards my old friends just as my eyes drifted to everyone. Anyone who knew or related to the people standing right in the middle of the throne room. But just as I was an inch away from my chair, I felt an invisible weight in my body that pushed me back down.

The shouting of protest and calls for them rose around the giant room but they made no move. They just stood like statues. Are these the people I actually knew? I surveyed them again, my eyes drifting and taking them in, they all look more muscular than I had last seen them and more matured. They are indeed the people I knew....but at the same time, they're not. They've changed. They would've at least showed reaction but they didn't.

Suddenly, a thought it hit me like a bullet. Everyone was there, except him. Percy. Is it a foolish hope to wish that he were one of them?

I opened my mouth but no words came out. My tongue wouldn't move. When I looked at the others, they had shut their mouth and it seems they have the same thing. Chaos had his hands raised in a snapping motion. "I'd like everyone to shut their mouth and not interrupt as the Army introduces themselves. I will give you the power of speech back as long as you promise to remain quiet and keep your distance. Am I understood?" Chaos' voice echoed loudly, the tone of his voice sounded as if he was talking to little kids which we might be in his eyes; without a second thought, I nodded, the others following my movement. The weight lifted and I can feel my tongue move again.

Chaos turned around to face his Army Leaders and saw him frown. "Where is he?"

Nico who stood at the right side of the formation, spoke, "Something held him back, obviously." It held my breath, waiting for the Creator to explode at the disrespect of Nico but he didn't even seem to notice.

"That boy is always late." Just as the words left Chaos' lips, there was another flash of black and red colored light.

The person stepped out of the vortex and I knew instantly who it was. I would know that black raven hair anywhere.

Percy Jackson stood right before my eyes.

I felt a heavier weight as if reminding me that I could not go anywhere remotely close to

him. I stood still and soon enough, it lightened but I could still feel it. Percy Jackson, like the rest, stood right behind Chaos in the upside down 'V' form except he was the missing point. He wore a much grander than the other Army leaders. Power radiated from him, such power that I could feel the room slightly trembling with all the power all joined in one room. He had a power greater than the Olympian Gods and Goddesses, just like the rest of the Army, but much greater. Similar to Chaos, in fact. His cape flowed with the design of a swirling sea-green and red and black galaxy. The Army had one too except theirs was more of only two colors. All of them had numbers and some symbol imprinted on them.

"Percy." Chaos greeted, "About time you joined us."

I took a look at Poseidon, whose face had gone all traces of color as he stared wide-eyed at his missing son who wouldn't even spare him a glance. In all fairness, it seemed everyone had lost all their color in shock and disbelief at what stood before them. I know I am, except for Timothy who only supported an annoyed and (surprisingly) disbelief look.

Percy's eyes held the Creator's, conveying messages none of us know. Chaos sighed and turned around with a smirk, "I believe an introduction is a must." He took a step to the side, giving the spotlight to the Army.

Percy glared at Chaos, who merely shrugged, before moving his eyes towards us. Scanning, nothing gave away to his emotions. A perfectly sculpted mask. "I'm Percy, as you all know." His voice reverberated around the room, sending tingles down my spine and a pang of longing. Oh, how much I've missed him and his goofy grin. "I'm the commander of the Army and that's all you need to know." Percy shot Chaos a glare who merely raised his eyebrows.

Nico, sensing that it was time, stepped up meeting Percy's eyes and as soon as he nodded, Nico continued. "I'm Nico. I'm the second in command, Percy's right hand and the leader of Section 2."

Nico paused before stepping back as if letting us let the information sink in. The guy on Percy's left stepped up with a mischievous grin, "Look at all the tension, this should be interesting." he said, "I'm Sylas. Third in command and leader of Section 3."

And so on they went. Another good looking girl stepped up after Sylas. She's Harmony and the leader of Section 4, Luke was Section 5, Zoe is the leader for 6, Leo for 7, Bianca for 8, Ethan has 9, Beckendorf is 10 along with Silena. Michael Yew was the leader for medical while Castor was communication.

Timothy, surprisingly and stupidly, spoke up. "You expect us to lay our lives to them?"

Everyone in the Army bristled and move with grace, ready to defend at any time. But somebody had already beat them to it. With a frightening stealth and speed, Percy threw a dagger towards the idiot. Everyone collectively held their breaths only to be released when the dagger landed with exact precision. An exact inch from Timothy's head, it was like a movie because there was a second delay when blood started dripping out from the thin slice in Timothy's cheeks. He didn't bother to wipe it as he was paralyzed with fear.

The air was colder again and it had darkened. I looked to Percy, whose sea-green eyes was the same except with tints of red in them darkened. "In case your tiny mind didn't comprehend what my father had said to you, I will repeat it for you in a way you know and all of you better damn listen and get it drilled in your head because I will not repeat myself." Percy's voice was strong and commanding and demanding every ounce of attention we have. He was scary, to say the least. But there was one thing that caught me. Father? Poseidon? Chaos?

"I will not, or any of us, tolerate any disrespect. You're bordering dangerous territory, Timothy." Percy spat his name as if it was venom itself, "You insult my father at the first meeting and then my army. The others may have let you continue being an arrogant dick all these years but I will not. If you ever do, I will send you somewhere no one would ever dare to go and come back in one complete piece. I've encountered wars more than you can ever know, all of us had, and we've won every single one of them. You should be feeling grateful that I had decided to help you in this war. Remember this, all of you, you are the one that asked for our help. We will not hesitate in packing our bags and leaving you to fend for this war you cannot win yourself. This is our war to lead and you are to follow. So yeah, you might want to be careful or I might just make a plan to get you killed in this war in a short time span."

His eyes were flaring, I can see it and the fact that the red tints in his eyes were basically glowing from anger. Chaos stepped up, putting a hand in front of Percy ever so slightly. "Any questions?"

Hades spoke up, "What of the lodgings?"

Percy stood close to Chaos, "We have that taken care of. Anything else?"

Poseidon looked like he was about to say something when something jumped out of Percy's shoulder. It was the same size as Mrs. O'Leary except this creature looked more like a dragon and had wings that were on fire. The fire had the same color as Percy's swirling vortex and the flares change colors once in awhile. It was growling, directing it to us. I could see the intelligence and anger in them towards us.

"Now that's settled," Percy continued, " This meeting is over." The invisible weight dropped on us lifted and suddenly, we could move again. I saw Percy walked over to Chaos and they began to have a deep conversation before the Creator disappeared in a flash of light.

I don't why none of us have moved yet and we all just stood, staring at the returned friends who have become powerful allies of ours. Percy stood in front of us with scrutinizing eyes before disappearing in the same flash of light. The Army with a stern nod followed suit.

And just like that, they were gone leaving us staring at the empty spot shell-shocked.

~

I'm aliveeeeeee! (Unfortunately, lol) 

Here it is, the most awaited moment! I'm sorry it took so long. I got a major writer's block. I literally could not type, not a single sentence. I wanted to re-do this scene because it's usually one of my favorite ones when I read these kinds of fanfic. I wanted to do it justice and yeah, I kind of put pressure to myself which worsened my writer's block. So, I'm sorryyyyyyy. 

But no kidding tho. I hope I gave it justice and you enjoyed this chapter. I'm a slow writer and it took me at least 3 days to write even though it's a short chapter. 

Also, even though it's summer and school is not in my way, the updates might be slow. I mean, before I published this story to be shared to you all lovelies, I had already 16 chapters written and right this moment, I have 22 chapters already. What I'm getting at is, I'm rewriting stuff because there are things that I want to add in and polish the other ones I've already written and it's going to be kind of hard to make/connect the points of the new things I want to add and the ones that are already there. I want to make them flow together. I mean, I know this story isn't watery flowy but I'd like to try. 

In short, I want this story to be good because I worked my ass in this and it's mine and because I love PJO and HoO and everything. And I want you guys to enjoy it too and if you're taking your time to read this whole thing I've written and vote on it, then I want to make sure it's worth it. 

So yeah, I'm sorry for the long author's note. I just wanted to say that. Also, I made a rule to myself that I wouldn't like make a chapter that's author's note only. I hate those. I'd make them if it's absolutely necessary. So, I couldn't tell you guys this. 

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this scene and that I did it justice (I know, I should stop repeating crap). Let me know what you think and vote! Thank you guys so much and for your patience and all that; for commenting and showing support. I may not reply to all of them but I do read them and it makes me so happy that you enjoyed it. And I'm sorry I can't dedicate all chapters to you guys, those who I haven't yet. I randomly pick on who. But know that I appreciate the support. 

Love you all. <3

HOPE YOU LOVELIES HAVE A WONDERFUL SUMMER! 

(I say that when I'm typing this in a dark room. Lol, this is my life. I regret nothing)

~Leannexo

P.S: I went to TATINOF, you guys. It was fabulous! The best fun I've ever had. I'm bad at crowds but dang, as soon as they came on stage, that was all forgotten. I really had fun. Be my friend if you're part of the Phandom, romance shipper or not. I'm not, tbh. No hate. Dan and Phil are life.