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

Story: Divided Soul

Chapter 19: Reluctant Leader

Camp Half Blood

The seven of the prophecy sat around the table in the recreation room of the Big House. Chiron sat at the head of the table, while Scipio sat across from him. Chiron felt uneasy as he looked at the student he had known since he was twelve years old. He had to keep reminding himself that Scipio wasn't Percy, but it was hard. Scipio made a motion as if he wanted to speak. Chiron nodded.

Scipio looked around the table at the demigods gathered there. "I will not be the one who leads this mission," He said. Everyone's eyes widened in shock, except for Piper and Annabeth. They had already anticipated this.

"I don't understand sir, you're the logical choice," Jason said as he gave Annabeth a pleading stare.

"He's right, you are the most powerful demigod here," Annabeth said logically.

"That may be true, but my destiny is not to be the leader of this mission. We are repeating history here. We are the new Argonauts," Scipio said. The others stared at him in disbelief. "Is that so hard to understand?"

"Our best chance of success is if you lead us," Alex said. He looked at Annabeth. "No offense."

Annabeth nodded. "None taken," she said.

"The leader must be one blessed by Juno," Scipio said. "Or Hera." Chiron nodded.

Leo looked around the table. "I take it that you know the leader?" Leo asked curiously.

Scipio smiled at the son of Hephaestus. He had been waiting for just such a question. "Yes, Jason's patron is Juno; he will lead this mission," Scipio said.

The others all looked at Jason. The son of Jupiter sat in his chair unmoving. He just stared at Scipio. He was completely shocked. Scipio gave him an amused smirk. "I can't believe you didn't figure that out Jason."

Jason's cheeks reddened in embarrassment. He cleared his throat. "You're the better choice," Jason argued.

Scipio gave Jason an encouraging nod. "You were Praetor of the first legion. You helped save Juno. You defeated Krios," Scipio listed the son of Jupiter's accomplishments. "You are a great leader and I will follow you to the death." Scipio stood and saluted Jason. Gwen and Alex stood and followed their Consul's actions. The Greeks watched the Romans carefully before Annabeth stood up. All eyes were on the daughter of Athena.

"I agree; Jason, the Greeks will follow you," Annabeth said as Piper and Leo nodded.

Jason looked at his friends both Roman and Greek. He smiled at first, but then a serious expression swept across his face. He stood and looked directly at the Consul of Rome. "I accept this role, sir," Jason said as he saluted the son of Neptune.

Scipio gave his friend a warm smile as he returned the salute. They all sat back down, but Scipio wasn't finished. "Chiron, the group must leave soon. We don't have much time. The enemy will attack the original Olympus soon in hopes of weakening the gods. In doing so they hope to win out in the final battle that will occur at the lair of Gaea," Scipio said.

Chiron looked at the son of Neptune. He was so impressed with Scipio; he was a leader, but his strategic mind was incredible. "How do you know this?"

Scipio stood up again and began to pace in front of the table. Annabeth saw this as a part of Percy coming through, it was a way to control the ADHD. The Romans looked at their Consul and understood this as his way of keeping all eyes on him. "Juno and Mars have explained many things to me, but I have researched Gaea and the giants well," Scipio started. He stopped pacing and looked up at the others. "They will first attack the ancient home of the gods in hopes of weakening them. After that they will continue their plans here by going to the lair of Gaea and performing the ceremony to awaken her."

Annabeth's brow was furrowed in thought as she processed all of the information given to her. "So the seven must go to the original Mount Olympus and stop the attack. What about the doors of death" Annabeth asked.

Scipio gave her a thankful nod. "Yes, first we must travel to the doors of death. The original doors of death were near the Peloponnese in Greece. This is where we will enter the underworld. Once there we will discover the reason for the monster's ability to reform so quickly. Once we reseal the doors we will travel to the original Olympus and stop the giants," Scipio explained.

Alex stared at Scipio his eyes flashed red with warning. "I certainly don't mind a fight, but are the seven of us enough to stop the enemy in Greece?" Alex asked.

"I believe we are; you see they will only send enough force to demolish the ruins of Olympus. They will not expect an attack by a small number of demigods, especially with the doors open. That is why we must attack once the doors are closed. The enemy will keep most of their force here to guard Gaea," Scipio said.

Annabeth just stared at Scipio trying to read his emotions; she was curious to what he was feeling now. "Where is Gaea's lair?" Annabeth asked. Jason smiled at the question because he already knew.

Scipio nodded. "Yellowstone," Scipio said simply.

Annabeth's eyes widened. "The volcano," Annabeth said.

Scipio grinned at her intelligence. "Of course, you see why we must stop her from rising," Scipio said.

Annabeth's grey eyes darkened as her mind calculated the possibilities. "If she rises the volcano will erupt," she said, her words heavy with the horrible images of the destruction such an eruption would cause.

Scipio frowned at her expression. "I'm afraid so, the world would be cast into darkness and from there the end will begin," Scipio said ominously.

Leo looked at the serious and gloomy faces of the others. "Then we better go kick some giant butt and keep that from happening," Leo said sarcastically. Jason grinned at his friend. Others laughed a little at Leo's optimistic enthusiasm.

Scipio even seemed a little relieved at the son of Hephaestus's attempt to lighten the mood. "That is what we are going to do. Jason, I think it is time," Scipio said.

Jason looked at the son of Neptune curiously at first, until his gaze landed on Annabeth. She rolled her eyes at his obliviousness. Jason inwardly smacked his forehead. "Oh yeah, everyone get packed we leave at first light in the morning. The others stood and walked to the door leaving only Jason and Scipio in the room. Jason looked at his leader with a concerned expression. "I don't know if I can do this."

Scipio walked up to his friend and placed each hand on one of Jason's shoulders. He moved the son of Jupiter until they were both staring at each other in the eyes. Jason's blue eyes widened as he saw the determined look in Scipio's deep green eyes. "I have faith in you son of Jupiter, so does everyone else. Everyone can sense that, except you. Don't falter in your leadership. You have good instincts and you've trained well," Scipio said.

The son of Jupiter regarded the Consul of Rome before a serious expression crossed his face. "I won't let you down sir, but won't it be awkward for you to take orders from me?" Jason asked curiously.

Scipio laughed at the idea. "Actually, I look forward to taking orders, instead of giving them," Scipio said before he moved to put his arm around Jason's shoulders as the two began to walk out of the room.

Later that night near the lake

Scipio sat on the edge of the dock with his bare feet in the dark green water. A few Naiads approached, but when they saw the brooding expression of the son of Neptune they swam away in fear. The sounds of footsteps on the dock broke Scipio away from his dark thoughts. He turned to see a tall girl with red frizzy hair and emerald green eyes. When their eyes met she stopped walking and looked at him warily.

"You can sit, if you want, I don't bite," Scipio said with an mischievous grin. "No matter what these Greeks say about us Romans."

The girl just stared at him for a moment before a relieved smile spread across her lips. She sat down on the edge of the dock next to Scipio with her feet in the water. She turned toward him. "I'm Rachel Elizabeth Dare, Oracle of Delphi," Rachel said as she extended her hand. Scipio looked at it for a moment and then clasped it carefully in his large hand.

"Scipio Marcellus, sorry no middle name," Scipio said. Rachel smiled at that.

"I've heard a lot about you from the others; you're a living legend," Rachel explained.

Scipio laughed; Rachel looked at him curiously. "Living legend, I think the others have a greater sense of my importance than I do. You only become a legend after you die, and then who really cares," Scipio said with a hint of anger in his voice.

"Wow, you really are gloomy," Rachel said.

Scipio gave her an unamused glare; Rachel shivered at the sight. "Aren't we all with a war going on?" Scipio asked rhetorically.

"I'm sorry to upset you. I guess all of you have enough going on without someone trying to poke fun at you," Rachel said.

Scipio regarded the girl before him. He felt a familiarity toward her, almost like he was meeting a long lost sister or cousin. "Have we met before?" Scipio asked.

Rachel's eyes widened in surprise for a moment. "I don't think so, but I'm the Oracle, so we could have met in a dream or vision," Rachel tried to explain, but Scipio didn't quite believe her.

Scipio remembered something when he arrived. The whispering of the Greeks as they looked at him and the name Percy. He looked into the green eyes of the Oracle. "Who is Percy?" Scipio asked.

Rachel eyed him suspiciously. "Where did you hear that name?" She asked worriedly.

Scipio didn't understand the reason for the suspicion and worry in her expression or in her tone. "I heard some Greek campers say it when we arrived," Scipio explained.

Rachel nodded. "He is one of our campers. He was lost several months ago," Rachel said.

"He must be important, if everyone is still talking about him," Scipio reasoned.

Rachel's eyes seemed to cloud over with sadness as she looked into the water of the lake. She avoided the son of Neptune's eyes. "He was our leader and my best friend," She explained.

Scipio gave her a sad look. "I'm sorry, if I brought up bad memories," Scipio said.

Rachel looked up and smiled slightly at the Consul of Rome. "No worries, many people here miss him, a lot," Rachel said.

"I understand what its like to lose friends in time of war. Its never easy," Scipio consoled her.

Rachel couldn't help, but feel that Percy was indeed inside this son of Neptune. She had spoken to Annabeth earlier, but she had to see him for herself. Rachel nodded before her expression became serious. "I have foreseen that this mission will be hard," Rachel said. Scipio looked at her curiously when she said mission and not quest. "Especially on you."

Scipio nodded in understanding. "So, you've seen the same thing that I have?" Scipio asked.

Rachel wasn't sure how, but she knew what he was talking about. "You're death you mean?" she asked sadly.

Scipio gave her a comforting smile. "I'm not afraid to die. It is a part of life. I saw too many deaths in the last war. If I can prevent more with my life, then I will," Scipio explained.

Rachel just looked at the boy or man in front of her. He was very different from Percy, but still so much the same. She wondered, if Percy had always been two people that had been separated for some reason. She felt like Scipio was Percy's other half, but still part of the whole. This wasn't an Oracle related impression, but one of a close friend looking at another. Rachel stood up and looked down at the son of Neptune. "You are different from what I imagined," Rachel conceded.

Scipio smiled at the comment. "The sea is ever changing and no matter how I wish it wasn't true, I'm still part of the sea," Scipio said.

Rachel stared at him for a moment. She wanted to ask him what he meant, but she was afraid of making him upset. "Thanks for the talk. Good luck on your mission," Rachel said before walking away. Scipio nodded at her retreating form.

Scipio turned back to the lake and sighed. This talk with the Oracle had confirmed his worst fears, but in a way it seemed to lift a weight from his shoulders. He would die on this mission, but his death would save lives and that was all that mattered to him now.

AN: I hope you liked this chapter. The quest or mission begins next chapter. Starlit hasn't reviewed this, but I will update with her magnificent comments and let everyone know how she improved this chapter, so stay tuned.