Chapter 22

The Praetorian Guard numbered twelve in the early morning as they gathered for their first group training. Ten warriors which didn't include Percy of course, and Mark himself the Praetor decided to come in for his show of support and preparation. They were waiting on the first appearance of Lady Lupa inside the boundary lines since Percy himself had arrived at Camp. A new recruit had arrived the evening before, and with him a message from the mother of Rome. The note was simple Praetorian Guard 6am in the Coliseum. It was written by the recruit who for the time being was unclaimed, but welcomed by the fourth cohort with letters of recommendations from family within the legion. The kid was the talk of the legion last night however as Lady Lupa did not usually use new recruits to convey messages.

The dozen Romans stood gathered in silence stretching, and preparing for what was likely to be an unpleasant morning. Percy was standing nervously among the gathered group when suddenly a voice came from the tunnel that allowed warriors to enter the pit, "Praetorian Guard. ATTENTION."

All twelve demigods immediately stood in rigid posture, hands at their sides, back straight, eyes forward as the mother of Rome strolled through their lines. She was in an outfit that didn't look exactly Roman. She was wearing black leggings that were covered by a long armored shirt that looked paper thin. Her black and silver hair was in a single baid, and her pale white skin was ethereal that clearly showed the signs of being a Goddess. She made it a point to look every single person in the room in the eyes as she walked past them.

When she stopped in front of the group she spoke a soft phrase, "At ease."

Everyone's posture relaxed, but their hands went behind their back and remained ready for another cry of attention. As she sized up each of the demigods before she spoke again, "Percy Jackson. You are the only demigod in this room who never went through the rite of Passage to Rome. You made it here on your own free will, and were spoken for by Lord Neptune and Triton it is for that reason you will now get the honor to face me in single combat."

Everyone shuffled at this, but Percy nodded, stepping forward and pulling a pen out of his pocket that most were shocked to see him hold when it turned into a three foot long celestial blonde sword. The woman's eyes widened at the site, "That blade was a gift from your father?"

"To Bianca Di Angelo. It is why I sponsored her when she arrived here in New Rome my Lady. This blade has been loaned back to me while I find a proper replacement weapon. My trident was destroyed in the battle against the Trojan Sea Monster." Percy explained.

Nodding her head she spoke, "This blade once belonged to a dear friend of mine. If she ever sees it in the hands of a male hero she might attempt to kill you. You have been warned, son of Neptune." Lupa said as she reached to her sides and drew identical silver daggers from nothing.

Not having time to contemplate her words the woman was moving forward attacking him. He dodged the first two swipes, and attempted to run the woman through with riptide in a parry. The speed the goddess possessed however was unreal as her dagger found its way to deflect his thrust, and return a quick swipe at his ribs as she got on the inside. The blade nicked the inside of his body as she cut through his shirt and drew first blood on his abdomen. She walked back casually as if nothing had happened, but Percy was reeling at her speed, "You wish to fight Titans Captain Jackson yet you can't stop me from cutting your insides out of your body. Again."

Percy nodded his head firmly wishing he had his trident for range to keep this goddess back, but instead twirled the blade around, and took a deep back stance preparing to fend the goddess off. He couldn't see the grimaces from the rest of his guard behind him, so he had no clue as to their thoughts on his abilities.

Lupa charged forward again, feinting a gut carving strike across his body, and coming across with the other dagger with the intention of sticking it in his head. With timing as quick mortal could move though Percy landed a kick in her midsection knocking her off balance backwards, and surging forward attempting to capitalize, but the goddesses balance was unbelievable as she took two wild swings to disrupt his blitz, and swept his lead leg out with a wild foot causing him to stumble forward briefly. The two twirled around each other, and trying to take the aggressive stance back forward Lupa threw a mighty head kick towards the boy that would've put his lights out, but with a quick block he kept the lights on, and managed a good shove to toss the woman backwards barely avoiding another slicing knife motion that might've opened up his throat. He heard gasps at the move though, and saw another open wound on his shoulder that must've happened in his attempt to shove the goddess backwards, "That was better. Again."

So they went back and forth five more times, and each ended with another blow landed on him. He was bleeding from multiple places on his body, and his eyes were spinning a little from the but of the dagger hitting him in the nose, likely breaking it. Lupa asked, "Are you finished Captain Jackson? Do you surrender? Do you perhaps wish to relinquish command to the son of Jupiter instead?"

Percy spat blood on the ground, "Jason would do a great job of leading this team, and if I fall in battle I have faith that they will be in good hands, but Olympus selected me for this job. I will never yield."

The woman grinned at him, and launched herself at him for the eighth time, but despite his weariness he met her strike for strike. He had been analyzing her fighting pattern the entire time, and he had his plan ready. He ducked under a powerful strike, and when a knee came up to strike him in the face he whirled around stomping his foot on the ground making the coliseum shake to its foundations as he surged forward on the rocking ground thrusting riptide into the collar bone of the goddess clearly displaying he could've landed a hit higher in the throat. The Earth immediately quit shaking, and she stared at him, her wound in wonder as golden ichor leaked out, "You used your powers."

"The art of war is deception my lady." He said falling to a knee in a plea for forgiveness.

The room was silent, and he wondered if his head would soon be rolling, but instead she felt a hand on his shoulder, "Rise Captain Jackson."

Percy rose to his feet, eyes going to the silver eyed goddess. She turned her back to him, "I have heard the words that the son of Neptune is powerful, and I was determined to see it for myself. You have all heard me refer to the man by his title, and I expect you all to do the same. Your cohort, your status, it all means nothing on this team. There is only Captain Jackson, and the rest of you who are attempting to wreak absolute devastation on the enemy. Am I understood?"

"Yes ma'am." The cry of immediate agreement followed from the eleven demigods.

Lupa turned to Mark, "Praetor, I was unaware of your admission to this team."

The man bowed before the goddess, "My Lady Captain Jackson requested that I make myself available to this team if a fight too great for his capabilities were to arise. We agreed that at that point I would lead this team into battle. That being said, I thought it necessary to train with my fellow legionnaires in order to stay in top form."

Lupa nodded her head at both Percy and Mark, "You gentlemen have my respect. There have not been too many Praetors in history that would've accepted such a request, and perhaps just as few legionnaires who would've had the courage to request it. I honor this agreement you two made, and endorse that it may very well be a great idea. Praetor I trust you realize that in training Captain Jackson will be in charge."

It wasn't a question more of a command, but Mark nodded with a smile, "I believe we are in good hands my Lady."

"As do I. Now on this team when we train everything goes. Captain Jackson did an excellent job of demonstrating that. If you have demigod powers, use them. It does not matter what they are, or what they can do. If they can provide you, and by extension this team an advantage on any battlefield then you must do it. The Titan's forces will be numerous, and immense. We will need every advantage. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes ma'am." The group called out.

"Very well. Gwen, see to your Captain for medical treatment. Jason, Michael front and center." Lupa commanded.

Without hesitation Gwen came forward to Percy while Jason and Mark took to the center of the coliseum ring. Their sparring matches began immediately while Gwen wordlessly went to work on fixing his certainly broken nose. The fight Percy watched in front of him was impressive, and he had to admit when Jason could use his powers he was impressive. Using the simple ability to levitate, or jump higher made a massive difference in gladiator combat, and he even called thunder clouds above indicating that the Primus Pilus might be eating a bolt of lightning shortly. Gwen broke their silence whispering, "What you did was amazing. I don't think Lupa intended to cut you up so much, but you refused to back down. Then drawing blood on a goddess was something I never thought I would see."

Grinning at the girl he was beginning to consider his girlfriend he whispered, "You should see what I can do with a bit of water."

She looked like she wanted to slap his shoulder, or upside the head, but with all his wounds she didn't dare. As Percy predicted a small bolt of lightning came through the air, and Jason caught it with his blade and sent it out towards Michael who caught quite a bit of it with his blade, but in the end he spiraled backwards hitting the wall hard.

Many fights followed as Gwen finished touching up Percy, and when she was summoned to face Summer the son of Neptune got quite the surprise. Gwen had decided not to participate in gladiator challenges over the past few years, but he always knew the girl was still a decent swordsman. Both fought with standard gladius, and Gwen held her own against Summer better than he would've guessed. They fought to a standstill for a long time when the daughter of Apollo managed to elbow her in the face, and throw her over her shoulder ending the long fight. Summer immediately helped the girl to her feet, and they were both smiling and clapping each other on the back happy with their performances. It would be the last time Percy underestimated Gwen with a blade.

The next exciting fight was the rematch between Bianca and Reyna. Unlike the last time they faced each other in the coliseum Bianca was using her powers handedly. She would make the ground rumble, summon the ground from underneath, and eventually summoned three undead spartois'. When this happened Reyna looked immensely frustrated at Bianca's grin as she stepped back allowing the undead warriors to do the fighting for her, but instead of facing them Reyna screamed and Percy felt something extremely empty shift inside him. He felt like he had lost every battle there ever was, and would never win again. By the shifts of everyone else it was clear everyone was experiencing something similar. Bianca who had suffered more than most however merely crumbled to the floor clutching her chest. She was holding her heart, as if she had just received the most crushing news, and the Spartoi just froze. Reyna surged forward, kicking the blade from Bianca's hand and knocking her over with anger etched into her face, "Yield."

Bianca stared at her in incomprehension and the feeling lifted from everyone as fast as it had come. The girl couldn't even form words when Lupa spoke, "The ability of empowerment has not been seen in many years, daughter of Bellona."

Reyna backed down from Bianca not needing the words to see the fight was over, "It is not an ability I like to use. I didn't mean to lose control of it, but when the daughter of Pluto dismissed me when the spartoi's arrived it enraged me. I could hardly control it."

Mark looked slightly pale as he came forward, "What was that?"

Lupa gave him an emotionless look as she turned to Reyna, "Would you care to explain my child?"

Reyna nodded sharply, "Empowerment is the ability that made my mother so important to Rome. This ability will grant strength to legions if I am on their side as I share my confidence with all of you. I learned of this ability on the island with Circe, but she taught me the opposite as my power grew. I can descend a battlefield into a desolate depression making my enemies think they could never win again."

Everyone was silent at this pronouncement, but Percy broke it, "It will be an invaluable skill on the battlefield. Glad you are on this team."

Bianca's head whipped towards Percy in surprise, but he shook his head almost imperceptibly at her as people began to look back towards Lupa, "I think we are done here for the day. There is much work to do, but I can see the promise in this team. In two days time we will meet again, and continue to put in work on tactics, and other sparring matchups. Go assume your usual duties. Captain Jackson I will require a word."

The group broke down from there, and everyone was heading towards the exit to the coliseum, many wishing for a shower or bath before the day began. Percy however remained behind exchanging looks with Bianca, and Jason promising them he would catch up.

Percy came before Lupa who was staring up at the Praetor box, "I never would have predicted this turn of events when you arrived at camp. If I had known this team was going to be formed I would've put every bit of money on the son of Jupiter leading it, yet here we are."

"Jason is a great warrior my lady. We would've been lucky to have him as Captain Grace." Percy said honestly.

"Yet Olympus chose you, a son of Neptune. That is very unusual, particularly because they know you are the child of the great prophecy."

Percy stilled at her words, "Do you know its contents?"

"I do, but as I'm sure you know I can't speak of them." Lupa said honestly.

Percy nodded at this, but felt slightly frustrated. His sixteenth birthday was just over a year away, and he was still blind to his fate. He just knew it wasn't good.

Lupa continued to stare her eyes on the youngman to the point he began to feel slightly uncomfortable, "You are needed in Atlantis. Your father has summoned you."

Percy flinched at her words, "My lady?"

"Word came down the wire this morning. One of my wolves received a message from a nature spirit. I do not know the nature of his request, only that it should not be ignored. Unless the situation is dire I expect you to be back in time for this team's next training. Safe travels Captain Jackson." Lupa said, turning her back on the boy and moving in the direction of the exit. A light golden glow followed and then she disappeared from view.

Percy stared at where the woman was in disbelief as the words processed. She dismissed him so quickly, and he quickly came to realize he wasn't waiting on anything. He immediately took off in the direction of the exit at a sprint. He hit the barracks in mere minutes as he ran past the members of his cohort, and shot into his office throwing a bag together quickly.

A voice entered his office shortly after his arrival, "You scared the life out of Dakota when you nearly barreled past him. Going anywhere interesting?"

Percy spun to see Gwen and he quickly continued his packing, "My father summoned me to Atlantis. I don't know what's going on, but he used unusual means to contact me. Usually he would send Triton, but for whatever reason he used a water spirit to contact a wolf, to contact Lupa, to contact me."

Percy couldn't see it, but he could tell her silence was measuring his words carefully, "That is unusual. I hope you will be careful."

Her tone stopped him, and he turned to face her. Gwen looked worried, and Percy held out his hand for her to take, and she stepped forward to take it, "I will be careful. I wish I had more time to spend with you, but I don't expect this to take long. Lupa expects me back for training in two days and unless things are very bad. I will be back by then. I have responsibilities to you, and this team now."

This made the girl smile a little and squeezed his hand gently, "I guess being a little more emotionally involved with the most dangerous person in camp has its downsides."

He grinned at her, "You think I'm dangerous?"

"Percy, you made a goddess bleed today. Only an idiot would think you aren't. Just be careful, and come back to us. We will need you. Now you should stop and see Bianca before you leave. I think she took her loss to Reyna pretty hard, and I don't know what she felt, but it didn't look good." Gwen said wisely.

Percy nodded, grabbing his bag and kissing his girlfriend on the cheek, "I will. I will see you soon, my Lady."

She put a hand on his cheek stopping him, and kissed him on the lips this time, "I expect another when you return."

"Yes my lady." He said with a big smile.

With that he made his way out toward the back of the barracks where he thought he might find the daughter of Pluto. His thoughts were proven correct when he found the girl sitting against the barrack wall looking out at the river, "You alright B?"

She looked sharply up at him and noticed the bag in his hand, "Going somewhere?"

He smiled at her, "A summons from my father long story. I just wanted to check on you before I left."

"How long will you be gone?" Clearly avoiding his question

"Just a few days hopefully, but honestly not sure what Lord Neptune may need. It could be longer, but I hope to be back for training in a few days." Percy said easily, "Now are you sure you're okay? I am not going to come back and find out Reyna mysteriously disappeared, am I?"

Bianca sighed at the name, "I let my arrogance blind me. I thought with my abilities it would be an easy fight, and I let that get the better of me. I didn't even raise my blade when she used hers. I will have to be better, and part of that is going to be conquering my past...something I am still struggling with sometimes."

"Is there anything I can do?" Percy asked carefully.

She looked at him softly, but shook her head, "No...I think when we find Nico my emotional state will be better, but until then I think I am just going to have to face one demon at a time."

Percy nodded, "No matter what it is, if there is something I can do I will."

Her face turned into a slightly forced smile, and nodded, "I know."

With that he nodded, and shouted over his shoulder, "Hold down the fort, and let Jason know what happened. I will see you in a few days."

With that Percy hit the river, and walked straight in disappearing from the line of sight from the daughter of Pluto.

(A/N) Alright I feel pretty good about that chapter, and the foreshadowing that will lead into the next. Enjoy the back to back updates, and I will see you guys all in two weeks!