Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians or the Heroes of Olympus Series.

Story: No Stopping Fate: Reading Divided Soul

Chapter 38: Power Switch

Third Person POV

Mount Olympus – Throne Room – One year prior to the Lightning Thief

Poseidon snapped his fingers and the book appeared in Aphrodite's lap. She sent a slight glare toward the sea god, but Poseidon was unfazed. He just grinned back at the goddess mischievously.

Aphrodite opened the book. "Destiny's leader," she read.

Percy was at the helm of the Argo II. It felt weird sailing a ship through the sky, but Percy had done stranger things. The son of the sea god knew they were getting close to the original home of the gods. He could feel the ancient power as they grew closer to the mountain. Clouds obscured the view of the mountain peak, but Percy knew that a giant and a horde of monsters awaited them. He didn't know how, but his senses were off the chart since his second bath in the Styx. He was stronger, faster and more powerful. He received an incredible gift from Lady Styx; he just hoped it was enough to prevail.

"Don't doubt yourself," Athena said. Annabeth nodded in agreement.

"How're you doing sir?" Alex asked as he approached his Consul or former Consul, he wasn't quite sure.

Mars grinned. His son was a true Roman.

"You don't have to call me sir, Alex," Percy said.

"I don't know what to call you since…" Alex said before trailing off.

"Since you found out I wasn't really Scipio?" Percy asked.

Alex wouldn't meet Percy's eyes. "Yeah, I guess so."

Jason felt the same. He felt sorry for his friend and his future-self, it wouldn't be easy.

Percy smiled at his friend. "I might not be Scipio anymore, but I still have his memories and I still care about you and the others. You're not going to lose my attention. I just happen to care about the Greeks, too."

Jason smiled at the sentiment. He worried that Percy wouldn't have enough time for both.

Alex looked up at the person he thought that he knew. When he looked into Percy's eyes he saw the similarities to Scipio, but he could see the differences as well. "It's just odd talking to you as Percy when I've only known you as Scipio."

"I understand, really I do. Imagine finding out that your both Greek and Roman. Try having two sets of memories; some real and others from another possible life. I'm a Greek hero and a Roman leader. I may be different, but deep inside I'm still the leader you respected; the one that trained you to be the best."

Mars nodded. Percy and Scipio were one. Maybe, it wouldn't be as bad as he thought.

Alex couldn't help but hear Scipio as Percy spoke. At that moment he realized that Percy was Scipio. The name was different, but the underlying person was there. Percy may be a little more care free and open, but that only made him a better person, not less of one.

Thalia leaned over toward Annabeth. "He's right, this new Percy is even more special," she whispered. "However, you've never heard that from me." Annabeth smiled at her best friend.

Alex smiled at his leader. "Yes, I can see that. I guess… I was just worried that you would forget about us now that you had all your memories back."

Percy placed his hand on Alex's shoulder. "You are a good friend and soldier. You make your father proud." Percy's eye narrowed as he looked over Alex's shoulder.

Alex was about to ask what was going on when he turned around to see the peak of the original Mount Olympus directly in front of the flying ship.

The demigods and many of the gods paled at the news.

Percy turned the ship to avoid crashing into the side of the mountain. He stretched out with his senses looking for a place to land the ship. He felt the presence of water only a mile from the base of the mountain. He sailed the ship using his senses as a guide, until the ship reached a large mountain lake. The water was calm almost like a plate of glass. He lowered the ship until it splashed down softly onto the surface of the lake.

"Wow, that was one soft landing," Piper said as she climbed up the stairs from below deck. Percy turned and grinned at the daughter of Aphrodite.

"Thank you," Percy said.

"Leo climbed up after her. Piper gave him a mischievous smirk. "Yeah, repair boy always tries to knock Jason over the side when he lands the Argo," Piper joked.

Leo frowned. "I do not try to do that, Beauty Queen," Leo protested.

"Sure you don't, Repair Boy," Piper said.

Leo glared at the daughter of Aphrodite. "I can land just fine," he said.

Piper rolled her eyes. "Keep telling yourself that Leo."

"Calm down guys," Jason said as he ascended the stairs to join his friends. "I have to agree. That was a pretty fine landing."

Leo glared at the book.

Alex stood at attention when he saw Jason. "You're orders, sir?" Alex asked.

Percy smiled at Jason's irritated face. Percy knew that Jason had been around the Greeks for a while; he didn't think of himself as a sir. "Get the others ready. We'll be heading to Mount Olympus soon," Jason ordered. Alex saluted before running below decks to get the others.

Piper and Leo looked at each other. They could tell that Jason wanted to speak with Percy.

"I'll go catch Annabeth," Piper said.

Leo watched her as she climbed down the stairs. "I'll go help her," Leo said awkwardly before he raced down the stairs after her.

"Can you be any more obvious?" Piper asked rhetorically. Leo blushed.

Jason walked over to Percy as the son of the sea god steered the ship in the crystal clear waters of the lake. "You look like the weight of the world is on your shoulders," Percy examined.

Jason sighed. "It feels like it," Jason admitted. "I feel bad about what happened in the underworld."

"Don't be, it was fate," Percy said.

"He's right, it was fate," Hades said. Hades' comment earned strange glances from several of the gods including Zeus and Poseidon.

"You had to save the day; I didn't do anything to help," Jason said dejectedly.

"Son that isn't true; you did your part," Zeus said. Jason smiled at his father.

Percy frowned. "You led the others out of the underworld. You freed Nico, Thanatos and Lady Styx. If you hadn't done that I would have died," Percy explained.

Thalia and Annabeth both grinned at each other. Percy was making others feel better as usual.

Jason stared at him in surprise. "You would have died?"

"Without Lady Styx, yes I would have."

Annabeth shivered in fear at the idea of Percy dying.

Jason smiled. "Thanks for letting me know." Percy grinned at his friend. "However, I think you should be the one to lead us from now on."

Zeus sighed. He knew this was coming, but he would be lying to himself if he didn't feel disappointed.

It was Percy's turn to be surprised now. "You're doing great. Why ask me to do this now?"

Jason sighed. "Percy, you're the best leader. Whether you're Percy or Scipio, you're still the best leader."

"A son of Jupiter giving away leadership; your dad won't be happy about that."

Hades and Poseidon both looked at their brother, but Zeus wouldn't meet their eyes.

Jason laughed. "He hasn't been much of a dad. He gave me away to Juno. I think he lost any say in my life after that."

Jason looked at his father sadly, but he was surprised when he saw the pain in his father's blue eyes. "I'm sorry to both you and Thalia," Zeus said as he looked at his son and then his daughter. Thalia smiled at her father warmly. He rarely showed his softer side, but she was glad he had one.

Percy shook his head. "Your dad cares about you. He's a god; they can't be involved and the King of the gods has it worse than the others."

Zeus's mouth hung open in shock along with many of the other gods. Percy actually defended his uncle.

Jason just stood there in shock. Percy was different than Scipio. Scipio held anger towards his father, but Percy sympathized with the gods. "I can't believe you defended my dad."

Percy laughed. "I'll defend him when it comes to his kids, but he really screwed up with this war." Thunder rang out overhead. Percy looked to the sky and smiled mischievously. "You know its true mister bury my head in the sand."

Everyone laughed, even Hera. Zeus glared at the book for a moment before he felt Hera's touch on his arm. "You know it was a mistake," Hera said. Zeus nodded reluctantly.

Jason couldn't help but laugh. "You're one of a kind."

Percy's smile widened. "That's probably one of the better compliments I've received."

Jason's face grew serious. "So, are you going to take over or not?"

Percy frowned again before sighing in defeat. "I'll take over."

Jason's face lightened. He stood straight and grinned at the son of the sea before him. "What are your orders, sir?"

Percy's eyes narrowed. "First, don't call me sir. It makes me feel old and second, go help the others get ready." Jason nodded before running down the stairs to join the others.

Annabeth and Thalia laughed at Percy's words. Jason smiled at Piper; he was glad that Percy was in charge of the quest.

Percy stretched out his senses to the ship before lowering the anchors into the water. He concentrated on the sails and masts. The white sails lowered and contracted until they were all stowed away. Once complete, Percy turned around to see seven demigods standing behind him. They were all clad in either imperial gold armor or celestial bronze armor. Everyone had their weapons. They all looked at Percy expectantly.

"You all look ready to go," Percy said.

Leo looked Percy up and down. "What about your armor?" Leo asked.

Piper rolled her eyes.

Piper elbowed him. "Bathed in the Styx remember?" Piper chided. Leo frowned as he rubbed his side.

"He still has a mortal spot," Annabeth said. She looked at Percy worriedly.

Suddenly, a flash of golden light appeared behind Percy. The son of the sea turned around to see a small silver ring sitting on the deck. Percy picked it up and examined it. The ring was a silver boar with red glowing eyes. It was almost an exact duplicate of the one Mars had originally given him. Percy placed the ring on his left hand. He wasn't sure how another dagger would serve as armor. As soon as Percy thought of armor the ring glowed and the next thing he knew his body was covered in silver armor.

Everyone in the throne room turned to Mars. He shrugged. "He needs armor, so sue me," he said.

Leo ran forward to examine the metal. "I think that's Olympian Silver," Leo exclaimed.

The others ran up to touch the armor. "That metal is rarer than imperial gold or celestial bronze," Annabeth explained.

Alex smiled at his Consul. "I guess dad wanted to make sure you had protection," Alex said.

Percy smiled at his friend. "I guess you're right," Percy said. He sent a silent prayer to Mars and he could feel the good wishes that the Roman god of war gave him in response.

Percy examined his armor. It was clearly Olympian silver. It shined brightly in the early morning sunlight. The armor covered everything, but his head. He had armored gloves on his hands and armored boots on his feet. He walked around on the deck and was surprised how light the armor felt on his body.

"He probably looks pretty good in that armor Annabeth," Piper said. Annabeth blushed. Thalia and Rachel both snickered from beside her.

Jason stepped to the side rail of the ship. He looked down at two small zodiacs that were tied against the hull. "How did those get down there?"

Percy smiled. The zodiacs were sea green in color with a trident on the side. "I think they're a gift from my dad," Percy said.

"You're welcome son," Poseidon said before he shot a glare toward Mars.

Jason looked at them in wonder. "I guess we should go then," Jason said as he looked to Percy for orders.

Percy grinned. "Everyone into the boats," Percy ordered. The others climbed down to the boats. Only Percy and Annabeth stood on the deck. Percy gave her a curious stare.

Annabeth walked up to him. She was only a few inches from the side of his face. She leant forward and whispered, "I love you."

Aphrodite stopped reading and looked at Annabeth. "You're the cutest daughter of Athena, ever," she said. Athena shook her head in frustration at the goddess of love's antics.

Percy smiled. He held her shoulders protectively. He stared into her grey eyes. "I love you too," he said before crashing his lips to hers. He broke away too soon for Annabeth's liking, but then he threw her over his shoulder and slid down the rope ladder to the zodiac below. Annabeth yelled in surprise as they slid down the ladder. Once they hit the boat, Percy sat her down. Annabeth's cheeks were red and she really felt embarrassed, but when she looked over at Piper she couldn't help but smile. Piper smiled brightly at the daughter of Athena. She could almost hear her mother giggling in her mind about how cute Percabeth was.

Aphrodite frowned. "I do not giggle," she protested. Apollo and Hermes both choked trying to hold in their laughter.

Percy turned to address the demigods in the two zodiacs. He pointed toward the original Mount Olympus. "There is the original home of the gods," Percy said. He then motioned toward the demigods in front of him. "You are the heroes of the prophecy. Our job is a difficult one, but I know all of you well. You will make your parents proud. I'm already proud to lead you all into battle." The demigods smiled at his word.

Percy turned to look at the Argo one last time before he turned back to his friends. "Winston Churchill once said, "Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities... because it is the quality which guarantees all others." I look at all of you and I can see the courage in your eyes and in your hearts. Remember, we are a team; in battle we fight as one."

Athena stared at her daughter in surprise. Percy shocked her again. Annabeth beamed at her mother before she winked at her. Athena's surprised face morphed into an amused one.

Poseidon leaned toward Athena. "He's not a Seaweed Brain anymore."

The demigods cheered at their leaders words. Percy looked at Alex. The son of Mars grinned at his leader. "Let's get in there and kick some butt," Percy said before he started the engine and powered the zodiac toward the shore.

The demigods all smiled. Percy was different, but the changes were good. He had the best of both Scipio and the old Percy. He was a leader and a hero.

Jason followed close behind in the other zodiac. He looked back at the Argo II and smiled. He knew they would make it back alive. He looked at Percy piloting the zodiac in front of him. He couldn't help the happiness that flowed through him. He was relieved that he wasn't in charge, but that wasn't the real reason for his feelings. He knew that Percy was fated to lead them and more importantly he was destined to lead all demigods, both Greek and Roman. He could almost feel the Fates smiling down upon them.

Hestia grinned at Jason's thoughts. "He really is destiny's leader," she said.

AN: Another chapter down and several more to go. We'll be heading into another set of fight scenes, so stay tuned.