WARRIORS OF CHAOS

Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians, or other works referenced

[SexyPurpleBeast] [BETA: Annabeth Brady] [AU] [Percy x Annabeth]

PROLOGUE/CHAPTER ONE - A

I ate my cereal amongst the other immortal campers at our designated table. There were eleven of us; we had been serving our parents – the Greek Gods - for four-hundred and eighty two years. After saving the world from Gaea, and a year after searching for our missing campers, we had been offered immortality.

I missed him. I had no idea where he went. After everything he'd done, he was the last person who deserved to be taken away from his friends and family. I missed her just as much, more sometimes; especially when I needed a best friend to cry over him. For the long year I searched for him, she'd helped – no questions asked. But when we were offered immortality, she'd asked for a moment to think. She never came back.

I remember mourning for the first hundred years or so, using my newfound powers to search for them nonstop. Ultimately my mother intervened and informed me I needed to move on. She said he wouldn't have wanted me to be like this. It broke my heart, but I knew she was right.

I looked up from my bowl of soggy Fruit Loops to look at Cole, the immortal son of Poseidon, and my boyfriend of approximately three-hundred and fifty-eight years. Nobody could argue that Cole wasn't handsome: with the trademark sea green eyes, black hair cut short, a deep tan. But immortality had made him cocky, arrogant on the battlefield. It was a weakness that could not be ignored.

As if feeling my gaze, he looked over and met my eyes. He smiled and turned back to Clarisse and Rachel, who were in a heated discussion. Their voices were still muffled, but I guessed that it was the same debate they'd been having for four days; Whether Ares, with his knowledge of war, or Apollo, with his knowledge of prophecy and terrible poetry, would be a better ally in our upcoming battle against Gaea.

She had never fully returned to sleep after the Second Great Prophecy. She'd constantly been orchestrating attacks against Camp Half-Blood since we'd returned from Greece. However, she'd officially begun re-rising and it appeared that this time she was bringing both the Titans and the Giants back with her. We had limited allies and it was looking like we wouldn't be able to win this war.

I sighed, dropped my spoon into the bowl, and pushed it away from me. My appetite was gone.

"Annabeth, Sweetheart, what's wrong?" Cole asked. Everyone at our table stopped what they were doing and looked me. I guess I'd sighed louder than I thought.

"Nothing! I'm just thinking." I forced a smile and pushed the unhappy thoughts from my mind.

"Thinking about what? You look upset."

Oh Styx. Now what was I going to tell him?

I didn't even have time to think of a response before I was saved by a bright burst of light. The demigods quickly averted their eyes and fourteen beings replaced the light; the Gods.

The hundred demigods scrambled to bow, while the twelve of us simply nodded our heads in respect. I studied my mother, and noticed she was slightly more pale than usual and her deep, intelligent gray eyes shown with worry.

She managed a small grin and took a seat on her throne which was dutifully behind her. Most of the gods did the same, but a few went to sit at a table with their children – Demeter, Aphrodite, Hades.

"We have come to bring you all some news of the upmost importance. I'm sure you are all aware of the sudden communication block with Camp Jupiter?"

We had lost contact with our other camp six months ago and our parents had refused to say anything about the matter. A few of us nodded and he continued.

"All communication had been halted because an army,"

"An army?" Clarisse repeated.

"A powerful army!" Apollo interrupted.

Zeus shot him a look and continued. "Yes, a powerful army…was searching for demigods to recruit. We were under orders of the being in control of that army to keep you from knowing any details about it. Because we have cooperated and they have finished their business there, they would like to give you all the opportunity to join."

"Did anybody join?" Jason questioned, but several heads shook no.

"Achieving even the lowest rank in this army is a privilege. An additional benefit of our cooperation, is that they will aide us in our war with Gaea should battle begin while they are here," My mother announced. "Of course, we have agreed whole-heartedly."

Conversation broke out immediately. News that an all-powerful army was in want of demigod recruits was exciting. Thalia whispered something to me, but I didn't hear what she said over Cole.

"Who is this being? What can they do that would benefit us enough, to need their help?" It was a valid question; I had to give him that.

"This army is under the control of the greatest god among us, son – Chaos." Poseidon informed him. The old sea God's voice was quiet, a result from centuries of mourning.

"So are you saying that we are too weak and that we can't handle this war, without this god none of us have ever even met?" He demanded. Not only was he cocky, Cole was also very proud. He didn't like to think he needed help – I was the same.

Hera began to speak in a calm voice, obviously trying to keep Cole from creating an earthquake. Percy always had the specialty when it came to water, whereas Cole had the natural ability to create earthquakes.

"Of course not! We believe you are all so powerful, that it would be an injustice for you to at least attempt to prove yourselves to him."

Cole's face was deep red. He knew what she was doing.

"But-"

"And I have no doubt there will be many of you who prove your worth." Heads turned to see a man, who looked to be in his thirties. He was dressed in black cargo pants, a tight black t-shirt, and black combat boots. He had medium brown hair that was cropped short and deep black eyes with tiny specks of colors.

He was flanked by six people, who looked to be about eighteen and in great shape. Four of them male and two were female. The boys were dressed similar to the man, but the girls wore skinny jeans, tank tops, and black heeled boots.

Two of his companions, a boy and a girl, wore pairs of aviator sunglasses that prevented us from seeing their eyes. The boy had blonde hair and the girl had bright, unnatural red hair. The two of them stood to the man's right and were holding hands.

All in all, they looked like they could kick butt without even trying.

"And who might you be?" Cole questioned in a quiet voice as he put his arm on my shoulder.

The man gave us a confused look, but the others laughed. The red haired girl stopped laughing and said in a voice that sounded like bells,

"Haven't you guessed yet? After all we did inform your gods to tell you we were coming!"

"C'mon Mys," The boy, who must have been her boyfriend, with the sunglasses said, "Even if they did know, they're demigods! They have to get over their shock first!"

The six of them laughed, sharing an inside joke before the man signaled for them to be quiet.

"I am Chaos." He addressed us. The people behind him looked like they were expecting bows. They must be part of his army.

"So let me see if I've got this right," I said standing up and the boy with the sunglasses just seemed to notice me because he paled significantly, "You're the god in charge of this army that wants to recruit us? And I'm going to guess that these are some of your soldiers?"

I guess I'd said something wrong because the teenagers took offense at my words, scoffing.

"We, girl, are NOT soldiers! We are much higher ranked!" One with a cape said, like it should be obvious.

"Enough. You're confusing them already and we've only been here a few minutes. They will understand in due time." Chaos instructed the boy and returned his gaze to us. "Now, I'd like to introduce you to part of my recruiting crew. They will be here, as will I, and they will test those of you who wish to apply."

I wondered what he meant by test us. The way he spoke of his companions, you could tell he cared very much for his soldiers. The two in front stepped forward as if they had rehearsed this, and I'll take a guess that they had. The girl let of go of the boy's hand, and instantaneously he grew a couple inches taller and his hair turned to a raven black. His facial features changed to be slightly more dominant.

The girl shrunk about five inches and her hair changed to a curly blonde mess, like mine. Her body and face changed dramatically. They both reminded me of somebody but I couldn't place who. I looked around and could see I wasn't the only one having problems trying to remember who they looked like.

"This is my commander, Havok, and my lieutenant Mystique. My second in command requested to not be introduced and I have allowed this so he is able to do his job in the recruiting process." Chaos informed us. The two looked ready to step back, but Cole decided he was going to be bold and called out to them.

"Havok and Mystique? There's no way those are real names – they have to be nicknames, and stupid ones at that! What are you two cowards supposed to be now? Huh?"

"Cole!" I hissed. Now he was being stupid.

The boy laughed, and it sounded so familiar, "I wouldn't talk like that, Son of Poseidon."

"Yes," The girl said, her voice sounding really similar to someone I knew but I still couldn't figure it out. A boy in the back stifled a laugh, "Wouldn't want to offend your brother and girlfriend now, would you?"

His face scrunched up as he tried to make sense of their words while the two took off their sunglasses. I looked into their faces, and couldn't help the scream that escaped my lips. The world faded to black as I looked at someone who had been missing for centuries and someone who couldn't possibly be over there; because she was over here and she was me.

I was staring at Percy Jackson and Annabeth Chase.