Update: 25/04/2020
This update is for all veterans out there this ANZAC day. I salute you all for Courage, Honour and Sacrifice. I salute proudly to those her died in ALL wars.
Pop I salute and remember you day. Thanks for fighting in Korea. Love you with all my heart. sending it too heaven were you are hopefully happy.
Chapter .5.
"Then let the fight begin!" Lupa booms
The Greeks watch as Percy circles around Octavian. They saw Percy's limp and wondered if he was injured.
Thalia looked at her cousin. She still thought him her cousin and honorary brother. She saw the scars and didn't care. He was still the same she was sure off that. No matter how many scars he had he still was her cousin/brother. Her idiot, kelp-head of a cousin.
Nico looked at his cousin like Thalia, Percy's scars didn't bother him. It didn't change who Percy was or is. He was still a big brother like figure to him. As Percy had filled the hole Biana's death had left. Even though he had been missing for seven years. So he cheers when Percy gets first blood.
Clarisse didn't care also about Percy's appearance as it just showed he was a warrior and he obviously didn't care what he looked like. And he could still fight so she didn't see a problem.
Katie, Travis, Conner, Chris, Will, Kayla all didn't care about Percy's scars. They knew he was still their friend and they were still his. A few scars weren't going to change that.
To Grover the scars did make him nervous. But Percy was still his best friend. And he hoped that hadn't changed. But he couldn't help but think about just how much Percy had changed.
Piper, and Leo weren't going to judge. But the scars did make them uneasy. And the way he moved like a predator was also unnerving to them.
Jason stared at Jackson. He was not as he expected. He expected a legend. He couldn't see the man that some off the Greeks told him about. And the way all off Rome was cheering Jackson on unnerved him. It showed that Jackson was a popular Praetor. He didn't know how he felt about that.
Annabeth looked horrified at Percy's scars. What happened too him? He was so different. She could also see Percy acted like a Predator stalking his prey.
Chiron looked sadly at Percy. That boy no man had been through too much. But he was proud off what Percy had become. He was showing restraint at the moment that Chiron could be sure off. And he saw how loved Percy was by the people. Everyone was cheering him on. Chiron was looking forward to talking with Percy again.
"Ok Octavian we will go through the lessons again and see if you can retain them THIS time", Percy states as he just knocks Octavian's sword away like it was a fly.
"Number One when your in a dual off honour never where heavily armour. Actually when you battle me don't wear it. Wear something light", Percy replies knocking Octavian over as he tried to get his balance.
Everyone laughed.
"Number Two also be on the defensive and have eyes everywhere even the back off your head", Percy states smacking him on the butt with the flat off his sword.
Everyone was roaring in laughter.
"Number Three I suggest you keep a good grip on your weapon", Percy states knocking the sword out of Octavian's hand.
Everyone was in gales off laughter. Reyna was smirking.
"Number Four I suggest some more sword lessons. How on earth did you qualify for the First Cohort again?" Percy states standing on the hand crashing it as it was reaching for a sword.
Octavian yelps in pain. As everyone roars in laughter.
"Number Five I suggest you refrain from insulting Gods. You don't know what you might be turned into", Percy states breaking Octavian's nose with his sword.
Octavian was whimpering now.
"Oh and Number Six you MUST stop pissing me off if you want to live", Percy informs him knocking Octavian on the top off his head with the hilt off his sword.
Octavian crashes onto the ground with a thud.
Everyone was roaring with laughter and cheering loudly wildly.
"Winner is Senior Praetor Perseus Jackson!" Lupa roars
"Can someone take this idiot to the infirmary? And try not to knock any more brain cells out off him. I don't think he can survive being any more stupid", Percy asks causally
Laughter again comes from everyone except a few people. Who rush to the down Augur.
"He played with his food again", Gwen says with a sigh
The Greeks all look at her in shock.
Frank snorts, "Can you blame him?"
"Why would he do that?" Annabeth asks, "Did he have to be so brutal?"
"He was giving a lesson Daughter of Athena. That is the only reason the fight even lasted over 2 minutes", Reyna replies getting up
"And he was sending a message", Dakota adds
"A message?" Nico asks
"There are those here that will do things against the Gods and think they can get away with anything. Perseus just showed them the punishment. IT wasn't the physical punishment. But the humiliation punishment. Some will take this display and learn from it and some will not", Reyna replies, "Follow me"
They get up to follow her.
"And one that won't learn will be Octavian. He is THAT thick and stupid", Hazel replies
"And he is a terrible swordsman", Dakota adds
"Why can't you kick him out of the Legion then?" Will asks confused.
"We can't. He is the Augur", Reyna replies rolling her eyes.
"Augur?" Katie asks
"Seer. Chosen by Apollo. As Octavian is a descendant of Apollo. But even Apollo is regretting that. But he can't take it back", Reyna replies with a sigh
They make their way to a building that was connected to the Colosseum.
"Octavian spends his days ripping stuff teddies apart to see the future. He actually WANTED to restate using REAL people", Gwen tells them
All the Greeks look disturbed by that. As they enter a building.
They see Percy talking to a man and a girl.
"You really did a number on Octavian again", the girl says
"Of course Leila it is better then the Gods doing it", Percy replies
"Oh Praetor lets get your out off those", the man says
The Greeks see a Wheelchair close to Percy. Percy heaves himself into it. Basically collapsing into it.
"It was a great display Praetor", the man says as he raised Percy's pants.
The Greeks gasp seeing two prosthetic legs. Percy looks up at their gasps and rolls his eyes.
"Take a picture it will last longer", Percy jokes with a small smile.
"Percy?" Thalia asks
"Percy?" Nico asks
"Hey Pinecone Face, Death Breath. You both look well", Percy states
Thalia grins hearing the nickname again. And both she and Nico pounce on Percy. Who grunts but hugs them with both his flesh hand and his prosthetic.
"Don't even do that again!" Thalia yells slapping his head.
"Technically it wasn't my choice to come here. It was actually Juno's. Who knew how it would turn ok?" Percy asks rhetorically
Percy sighs when his prosthetics were off his lower legs.
"Thank Pranjal", Percy says to the man
"Are they still rubbing?" Pranjal asks
"Yes. But I don't think it can get any better", Percy replies, "By the way this is Pranjal son of Asclepius and Leila daughter of Ceres"
"Jackson you look great", Clarisse says
She gets growls from the Romans but Percy puts his hand up.
"That is her being nice. Good to see you too Clarisse my friend", Percy replies offering his hand.
Clarisse takes it squeezing it hard. She was surprised he didn't wince just squeezed her HARD.
"Some grip Jackson", she says as they parted.
"Thanks. I have had to train a lot. And before you ask that wasn't the prosthetic one", Percy tells them
"Your arm too?" Annabeth asks faintly
Percy raises his eyebrow at her.
"Yes. I lost both legs, my arm, one ear and one eye. The ear and eye are robotic. Made by Vulcan", Percy replies smiling, "The eye and ear comes in handy"
He moves his wheelchair to face them.
"Hey Grover", Percy says to his Satyr friend.
"Hey yourself man. We were worried", Grover replies
"Blame the trip on Juno. Then I decided to stay", Percy replies
"Come lets go to the Praetor house. I mean the Councillors and Chiron", Reyna suggests, "Centurions Spears, Zhang, Levesque, Dixon take the Greeks to their barracks", Reyna orders
"Yes Praetor", Dakota, Frank, Hazel and Leila reply and gestures to them to follow.
"Come on", Percy says to everyone starting to wheel himself out of the room.
The Greeks all see the Romans clap at him or talk to him ask him how he is going or for advice and so on.
"Percy my boy you have done well here. You are well respected", Chiron states
"Thanks and it wasn't easy gaining respect. I had to work hard to gain it", Percy replies as they enter Camp Jupiter.
Percy looks at the three faces he didn't recognise.
"So I am guessing you are Jason Grace son of Jupiter and brother to Thalia?" Percy asks looking at Jason
"Yes. How did you know?" Jason asks
"I am good at reading people. And you look like Thalia and Jupiter so that was a give away", Percy states smirking
He loved it when people underestimate him.
"You I guess are a daughter of Aphrodite", Percy states looking at Piper.
"Yes I am Piper McLean. Head of the Aphrodite Cabin", Piper replies nervously
"Good on you. I can see the same spirit of Silena in you. She was a warrior too. Only one off few Aphrodite Children Warriors in many, many years", Percy tells her smiling warmly
"Thank you", Piper says blushing.
She felt honoured. Not many thought she was a warrior. And here was the legionary Perseus Jackson telling her she was a warrior.
"And you are a son of Hephaestus. You have the aura like your brother Charlie Beckendorf about you", Percy states to their surprise.
"Yep that is me! But nobody compared me to Beckendorf really. I am Leo Valdez. Head of the Hephaestus Cabin", Leo says proudly with flames in his hands.
"Huh. Beckendorf could do that too. I hope you know how rare that is for the same generation", Percy tells him
The Greeks wondered where he got all his information from.
"I know it is rare. Don't know why Dad gave me them", Leo replies with a shrug
"I am sure in time it will", Percy replies
They get to a big house. Kind of like what the Greeks had but more Roman Style.
"This is the Praetor House. It holds Reyna's office and Mine", Percy tells them leading them in.
"That's if we aren't in Senate meetings or training", Reyna adds
"So go into the living room and I'll be back with drinks", Percy says wheeling himself away.
"I'll got and change", Reyna states leaving too.
The Greeks nervously sit down in the room. It was decorated personally.
"How could this happen to Percy? How can he live like that?" Annabeth whispers
"Don't judge Annabeth", Chiron scolds.
"Yeah Annabeth. He is still the same Percy", Nico replies glaring at Annabeth
Jason looked like he agreed with Annabeth.
"He shouldn't be Praetor", Jason mutters
"WHAT did you say?" Thalia growls at her brother.
"Nothing", Jason lies.
Percy comes back in with food on his lap with Reyna following with the drinks. They hand them out everyone smiling taking them but Annabeth and Jason.
"Here we go. I haven't welcomed you yet. So I welcome you all to Camp Jupiter and New Rome", Percy tells them formally
"Thank you Praetor Jackson", Chiron replies his eyes twinkling.
"It is Senior Praetor Jackson with a whole lot off other titles you don't need to know at the moment. Trust me on that", Percy replies grinning.
"You have a different aura about you Perseus", Chiron states
"And a different scent", Grover adds
"That can be explained later. But lets just say my last 7 years have really been interesting", Percy replies smirking
Reyna snorts, "Interesting you say? While you were running here you had to battle the gorgons Stheno and Euryale as they wanted revenge for Medusa's death. You carry Juno who was in disguise across the River Tiber as they were chasing you. You lost your Achilles Heal. Outsmarted Phineas. Meet a Harpy Oracle and my Sister and in the end helping her to reclaim the Amazon Throne. Then you saved Letus, battled the Giant Polybotes with only Terminus as backup. ALL in your first week here without your memories. Returned the Fifth Cohorts missing Eagle Standard. Found and bought back tones of Imperial Gold which is a rare metal. And made Praetor all in ONE week. And that is only THAT week"
Everyone looks wide eyed at Percy.
"Ok I think we have missed a lot", Thalia says slowly
"Trust me it wasn't that exciting", Percy replies drinking his drink trying not to flinch thinking off Tartarus.
"Sure…What also have you done Prissy?" Clarisse asks
Reyna takes Percy's flesh hand.
"That story is for another day. I just help train now, argue with the Senate, have words and arguing and sometimes knocking Octavian off his pedestal and outsmarting him. Actually that happens on a regular basis. Octavian is not very smart or good with weapons. And I help the Gods when needed", Percy says changing the subject.
Reyna was the only one in this room that knew he was a God and all his titles.
"And you see the Gods regularly", Reyna points out
"You do?" Piper asks shocked
"I do. Actually we play poker every month", Percy says casually
All the Greeks jaws drop.
"Actually isn't then a game tonight?" Reyna asks raising an eyebrow
Percy looks sheepish, "Might have forgot that"
Reyna looks at him with was it mirth in her eyes?
"Come on Rey I have been fighting the Senate and Octavian for days. Something was bound to slip through", Percy defends himself.
Reyna laughs, "They will pout saying you forgot them"
"No they won't they were probably laughing their asses off watching me give Octavian another 'lesson'", Percy says using air quotes.
The Greeks couldn't believe how casually Percy and Reyna were talking about the Gods and not getting killed.
"We did. But how can you forget me? I am just awesome", a voice asks
Everyone turns to the man in the doorway that everyone saw was Apollo. Percy didn't even appear surprised.
"Quite easily when I am fighting your delusional descendants", Percy retorts
The Greeks wince expecting Apollo to kill Percy. But Apollo just bursts out laughing which is joined by Percy and Reyna.
"If they could see their faces", Percy snickers
"I think we broke them", Apollo snickers
"Umm Lord Apollo aren't you angry?" Katie asks nervously
"I am far from angry. That little brat is a pain in my ass. I have gladly given Perseus permission to do what he likes with him. I can't believe I made him Augur. But Dia did warn me", Apollo says
"DON'T CALL ME DIA! AND YES I DID WARN YOU!" a voice in the next room yells.
Thalia's eyes widen.
"Is that…?" Thalia starts
"Come see my poker buddies", Percy offers smirking, this was going to be good.
They slowly follow him and Apollo into a room with a poker table and several people gathered around. They see those they have meet being Frank, Dakota, Pranjal, Hazel, Gwen, Lelia, Ida and six others.
"You know Senior Centurion Frank Zhang of the Sixth Cohort son of Mars, Legacy of Poseidon. Senior Centurion Hazel Levesque of the Calvary Cohort daughter of Pluto. Senior Centurion Dakota Spear of the Fifth Cohort son of Bacchus. Senior Centurion Gwendolyn also known as Gwen of the Fifth Cohort daughter of Trivia. Lelia Dixon Senior Centurion of the Fourth Cohort daughter of Ceres. Michael Kahale of the Senior First Cohort son of Venus. Ida Jones Junior Centurion of the Second Cohort, legacy of Luna. Jasper and Jasmine son and legacy's of Athena Senior Centurions of the Seventh Cohort. Vanessa legacy of Nemesis and BJ legacy of Hephaestus Centurions of the Eighth Cohorts.
But it was the others that got their jaws dropping.
Seating at the table was Bacchus/Dionysus, Diana/Artemis, Mercury/Hermes, Mars/Ares, Vulcan/Hephaestus, Minerva/Athena, Bellona, Neptune/Poseidon and Pluto/Hades.
"Jupiter sends his apologies", Minerva tells them
"That is because he is a sore loser", Pluto mutters rolling his eyes.
"He is sulking like a two year old", Neptune states smirking with amusement.
"He did lose a lot", Vulcan states
"He is still a being a wuss about it. Hey Short-Pint", Mars says to Clarisse at the end.
"He lost 657 Denarii, 100 Drachmas, he lost the note that said compliment your siblings, a free pass for Bacchus to have wine for a month and a date with a really, really hot, and cute blonde", Mercury replies smirking
"To be fair the blonde was hot", Apollo defends
"Your a pig", Diana states
"And he lost too his brothers, sons and daughters", Frank says putting his input in before Apollo and Diana could start a fight.
Diana rolls her eyes, "ALL men are such babies"
"Hey I am all man!" Apollo retorts
"Yeah a man that…", Diana starts
"Here they go again", Bacchus mutters
"Ten Denarii on Diana", Bellona says
"Ten Denarii on Apollo", Mercury replies shrugging.
"Greeks meet my poker buddies!"
Author's Note: What do you think? Please Review:)