Author's Note 18/2/2020: Today is the 6th Anniversary of my Nan's passing. I dedicate this to her. Love you Nan always.
Chapter .4.
A Few Days Later…
It had been a very busy few days for Percy and Reyna. Still coming up with arrangements for the Greeks.
They had been told by Mercury that the Greeks would be arriving today. Yes today. Which had people stressed.
Percy and Reyna had decided that Reyna would greet the Greeks and take them into the City. But Percy would be dealing with the Senate.
Which was what was happening now.
At the moment Octavian was throwing a huge temper tantrum about the Greeks coming today and how the Gods 'didn't' say they could live here.
Percy thought Octavian looked like a raving lunatic. He got more out of hand as they had heard that a ship had appeared near New Rome and had landed just minutes ago.
"The Greeks will murder our people and cause chaos to the 12th Legion and New Rome!" Octavian rants
Percy rolls his eyes and leans forward in his wheelchair.
"At the moment the only one causing chaos here is YOU", Percy tells the Augur
"I am SAVING New Rome! Greeks are a plague. And a BAD omen just like you a bastard son of Neptune and the useless Goddesses Vastra and Diana…", Octavian starts
Percy's eyes darken and he growls.
"What did you just say?"
Argo II…
Jason was nervous they were approaching Camp Jupiter. After all these years he was coming back. He didn't know what to expect like he told everyone. He just prayed to the Gods that Reyna was still in charge and that she could be reasoned with.
"Are you ok?" Piper asks her boyfriend
Jason sighs, "Just worried. Camp Jupiter is nothing like Camp Half-Blood. We might even be shot out of the sky"
"Piper can help smooth things over with her Charmspeak", Annabeth comments
"I don't know if that would be enough", Jason states
"We are approaching the place you told us about", Leo announces
"Everyone listen up!" Jason calls
Many turn to him. And so does Chiron.
"Now that we are approaching New Rome. DON'T have your weapons drawn. DON'T provoke them. And don't disrespect the Praetors! The Praetors are the leaders of the Legion. And just ONE word from them and the legion will attack. Also be respectful too the Senate if we are taken to them. We WILL now be flying a white flag", Jason tells them
"Do you think Percy will be here?" Nico asks
"Since I appeared at your Camp. It is only logical that Percy is here in New Rome. But I will not make promises", Jason tells them all, "Now Myself, Annabeth, Nico, Thalia, Grover, Will, Conner, Travis, Katie, Leo, Clarisse, Piper and Chiron will come out first"
"Everyone behave and be cautious", Chiron adds
"Up ahead!" someone shouts
Jason looks and sees Camp Jupiter in ALL its glory. The Walls around the Camp he realised just looking at it from this distance. That the Camp looked bigger.
"Wow is that New Rome?" Annabeth asks pointing at the side of Camp Jupiter that was New Rome
"Yes it is. We must be cautious now", Jason states
Jason helps direct Leo to a safe landing space. He sees Cohorts already lined up ready to defend the Camp against them. But he was surprised there were only two Cohorts waiting for them. And that there was no panic.
Jason directs them to the Fields of Mars. He sees a couple of Legionaries waving at them. Jason realises they were directing them where to land.
"Follow their directions!" Jason orders
Leo follows the directions to a large area that had nobody in the way of them. As they land the Cohorts had lined up. Watching them wearily.
Jason takes a deep breath as he and the others walk off the Argo. He holds out his hands to show the Legion he didn't mean any harm.
"We come in peace", Leo states
Jason and several others glare at Leo for his words before Jason sighs.
"I am Jason Grace son of Jupiter! Those with me do not pose any harm to New Rome. I ask to speak to the Praetors. And I say that these demigods are not Roman but Gr…", Jason starts
"Greek demigods", a voice finishes
All eyes turn to a woman. She had black eyes and hair. She was wearing a purple shirt and black pants with simple armour. She eyed them with a blank expression. She had two dog Automatons next to her.
"Jason Grace", the woman states
"Reyna! Are you still Praetor?" Jason asks
"I am still Praetor", she confirms
He couldn't believe it. Reyna was STILL here. And still Praetor! This was better then he could have hoped.
Annabeth looked at Reyna. A girl she had heard all about from Jason. Reyna looked familiar to her. Where had she seen this woman before? This woman also held an air of authority.
"Greeks I am Senior Praetor Reyna Ramirez-Arellano. Daughter of Bellona. Who do I address?" Reyna asks
Reyna looks at the group she could pick most of their names. Expect for two of them. Percy had told her so much she could name them.
"I am Chiron. Trainer of Heros", Chiron replies, "It is a honour Praetor", says bowing to her
"I am Conner…"
"And I am Travis. We are…"
"Sons of Hermes"
"I am Piper McLean, daughter of Aphrodite", Piper says nervously
"I am the amazing Leo Valdez the creator of the Argo II and son of Hephaestus", Leo states proudly
"I am Grover Underwood. Lord of the Wild", Grover states nervously
"I am Katie Gardner, Daughter of Demeter", Katie says
"I am Clarisse La Rue, Daughter of Ares", Clarisse states sizing Reyna up.
Reyna just looks at her calmly with a mask of steel.
"I am Will Solace, Son of Apollo", Will says
"I am Nico di Angelo, Son of Hades, Ghost King", Nico states
"I am Thalia Grace, Daughter of Zeus, Lieutenant and Hunter of Artemis", Thalia says
"I am Annabeth Chase, Daughter of Athena", Annabeth states looking for any sign of Percy.
"I guess I should welcome you all to New Rome. I take it the rest of Camp Half-Blood are in this ship?" Reyna asks
That shocked them. How did she know about Camp Half-Blood.
"How do you know about Camp Half-Blood?" Annabeth asks suspiciously
"The Gods told us about your coming", Reyna replies
"The Gods spoke to you?" Jason asks shocked.
"You will be surprised by the changes here Jason. Now Cohorts stand down and go back too your duties", Reyna orders
The Cohorts salute and leave with only a couple of people staying.
"These are Gwen May daughter of Trivia, Centurion Dakota Spears son of Bacchus, Frank Lang son of Mars and legacy of Poseidon and Hazel Levesque daughter of Pluto", Reyna says introducing the four with her
Nico's eyes widen at Hazel. He had a sister?
"Your my sister", Nico states
"State the obvious. Yes I am", Hazel replies with a soft smile
"Dad never told me", Nico says frowning
"I am a unique case", Hazel replies cryptically.
"Unique case?" Annabeth asks curiously
"Yes. And that is all I'm saying", Hazel replies
The Greek Demigods wondered what that could possibly mean.
"Now we have made accommodations for all of you…", Reyna starts
"How could you set this up so quickly?" Thalia asks
"We are Romans", Reyna replies simply shrugging, "You have temporary Barracks made for all off you. But you WILL be sorted into one of eight cohorts"
"8? But there is only 5!" Jason starts
"Times change. And we needed to make more room. We also have a cavalry", Reyna tells them
"Reyna the Greeks will are not used to this. You will need to take it easy on them", Jason tells her
"Greeks will NOT he getting special treatment Grace. We have Greeks HERE already. And they get along just fine", Reyna tells them to their shock
The Greeks were surprised by that. But Jason more so.
"You have Greeks here in the legion?" Jason asks
"Yes Greek Demigods. But mainly Greek Legacies", Reyna replies, "As they have no place to go"
Annabeth couldn't wait any longer.
"Is Percy Jackson here?" Annabeth asks
Before Reyna could answer a girl runs up.
"Praetor! Octavian did it again!' the girl says
Reyna sighs, "What exactly did he do Ida? Remember you have to be specific when it comes to Octavian"
"He insulted Lord Neptune, Lady Vastra and Lady Diana in front of the Senate and Senior Praetor…", Ida says
Reyna swears, "He has a death wish"
"Well he isn't that smart", Frank comments
"And he has done this many, many times", Gwen says
"But he DID last longer then we predicted", Hazel comments
"Just", Frank mutters
"Praetor Jackson has challenged him to a Dual of Honour in the Colosseum!" Ida replies
"When?" Reyna asks as the Greeks shared happy looks hearing the name 'Jackson'
"1 hour. Word is spreading and people are flocking to the Colosseum. Senior Praetor Jackson wanted me to tell you he has everything under control", Ida replies
"I am sure he does. But I will come anyway. So will the Greeks. Run ahead and tell Percy we are on our way", Reyna tells the girl
"Yes Praetor", Ida replies saluting and running away
"Percy is Praetor?" Annabeth asks
"Yes. And would all off you like to come and watch the Dual of Honour?" Reyna asks them
"We would love too Praetor. As Perseus is loved by all of us", Chiron replies
"Then gather everyone and I will show you the way", Reyna replies
They gather everyone and Reyna, Frank, Hazel and Gwen lead them through New Rome. The Greeks marvelled at the City. Annabeth loved the architecture. And she couldn't believe she will see Percy soon.
They see children running around laughing freely. Adults smiled and everyone seemed so relaxed. But they heard people saying how Octavian again has pissed off their Senior Praetor and was about to be made a fool off.
But one thing the Greeks wouldn't figure out was why people were saying is Praetor Jackson was up too it.
They see a version of a Colosseum like the one that was in Italy. Reyna leads them into it. And they see it was already half full. Everyone was chatting excitedly.
Reyna tells them where to sit but invites the Leaders of the Greeks to the Praetors box. Reyna takes one of two seats. With Frank and Hazel also sitting with them.
"So Octavian does this regularly?" Jason asks having heard people saying Octavian was going to get his ass kicked again.
"Often. He hates Percy with a passion", Reyna replies
"Why?" Nico asks
"Because Percy has the favour of the Gods and the people of New Rome and the 12th Legion. As he has given us a closer tie with the Gods", Reyna replies, "Octavian still have some followers though"
"How is this fight different? We heard people saying 'if Praetor Jackson is up to this'", Thalia asks
"Well that will be revealed in time. Anyway it is about to start", Reyna replies nodding towards Lupa in her Human form
"Demigods! This fight today is a Duel of Honour. Senior Praetor Perseus Jackson has demanded this dual for Augur Octavian's comments in the Senate. Rules are simple. First one knocked unconscious or a death blow withheld wins! I now present Augur Octavian! Centurion of the First Cohort with 12 years of Service to the Legion!" Lupa announces
A man in heavy armour comes out to a little bit of cheering. They could see he was already sweating and nervous.
"Look at him. He is in heavy armour. Is he crazy?" Thalia asks
"That is debatable", Hazel mutters
"He looks like he is going to puke. Pathetic", Clarisse states
"And the challenger Senior Praetor Perseus Jackson with 7 years of Service to the Legion….!" Lupa yells
The cheering was much louder then Octavian's. They see a man only dressed in light armour limp out. The Greeks gasp seeing him.
His black hair was still unruly. He had grown a few inches. But what shocked them was the horrible scarring on his face. Like it had been burnt. One of his eyes looked robotic and the other was nearly white.
As he limped to the centre his face look was hard as steel.
"What happened too him?" Annabeth asks horrified at Percy's appearance.
"That is his story to tell", Reyna replies simply
She knew they couldn't tell he was wearing prosthetics legs and one arm. As they were covered up. She looked at the Greeks and saw their shock. She studied them and saw a few looked sick at Percy's scars including Annabeth and Jason which made her furious.
"Praetor Jackson, Augur Octavian you know the rules. Do you accept this? Do either of you bow out?" Lupa asks them
"Never Lady Lupa", Percy replies glaring at Octavian
"I won't either", Octavian stutters out
"Weapons?" Lupa asks them
Percy pulls out twin dual swords and twirls them around. And Octavian pulls out one sword.
"Then let the fight BEGIN!"
Author's Note: What do you think? Please Review:)