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

Story: Divided Soul

Chapter 40: Surprises

Yellowstone National Park – Demigod Camp

Annabeth Chase sat on the edge of a cliff that overlooked the valley below. The early morning sun slowly moved above the horizon. Steam wafted up from the valley as the cool morning air interacted with the heat emanating from the thermal lakes and springs. Geysers spouted water a hundred feet in the air. Annabeth marveled at the power of nature. Realization hit the demigoddess; this was Gaea's power. Gaea was the reason Yellowstone was such a unique place on Earth.

Annabeth was broken away from her thoughts as someone plopped down beside her. "I see you're lost in thought as usual," Thalia said with a smirk on her face.

Annabeth looked at her friend with just a hint of annoyance in her eyes. "I was just thinking about this place. It's so obvious now that Gaea would be here. The signs of her power are everywhere," she explained.

Thalia rolled her eyes. "I thought you were thinking of a certain green eyed cousin of mine," Thalia replied.

Annabeth frowned at the thought. "I'm trying to avoid thinking of him," Annabeth admitted.

Thalia sighed. "Trouble in paradise, do I need to go and kick his butt?"

Annabeth smiled at her friend's attempt to make her feel better. "You could try, but I doubt you could take him now."

It was Thalia's turn to frown now. "He's not that tough," she said. Annabeth raised an eyebrow. Thalia closed her hand into a fist before she slammed it down on the surface of the boulder that they sat on. "I don't like him being more powerful than me."

Annabeth chuckled. "I'm sure the monsters don't like it either," Annabeth said before her amusement faded at the thought of the argument she had with Percy.

Thalia caught her friends change in tone. "What did that Kelp Head do?" she asked.

Annabeth told Thalia about Rachel's arm around Percy's shoulders and the argument she had with him. Thalia was quiet during the entire discussion. Annabeth didn't understand why. She thought that her friend would make some snide remark about Percy and his actions. "So, aren't you going to say anything?" Annabeth questioned. She was annoyed at how quiet Thalia was.

Thalia sighed. "Annabeth, I don't think Rachel's arm around his shoulders meant anything, other than she was concerned about him. I think he was telling you the truth. It's not like Percy to lie; he might withhold telling you something, but he wouldn't lie to your face. Besides, you and Rachel are good friends now. Why would she do that to you?"

"He got so mad. I thought he was acting defensive," Annabeth said.

Thalia smiled. "You're thinking about the old Percy not the new one. The old Percy would have either blown up at you or he would have walked away and sulked. The new Percy wouldn't do that. He would try to figure out what was going on with you or he would push it to the side, if it wasn't the right time," Thalia explained.

Annabeth just stared at her friend with her mouth open. "How do you know?"

Thalia smiled. "He's like Scipio and I observed him at the Roman camp, plus Jason explained him to me. My brother has a pretty big idol complex when it comes to Percy," Thalia replied.

Annabeth pulled her knees up to her chest before putting her head in her hands. "What did I do?" she asked.

Thalia wrapped her arm around Annabeth's shoulders. "You acted like a daughter of Athena, You think too much and besides, you let your pride get in the way," Thalia scolded.

"He hates me," Annabeth said weakly.

Thalia frowned at the defeated tone in her friend's voice. "Percy could never hate you. He's probably disappointed, but now he has bigger things to worry about."

Annabeth removed her head from her hands and jumped to her feet. "Oh gods, he's worried about something. You know about the bad feelings he gets. We need to help him," Annabeth said. She was about to run, but Thalia grabbed her arm.

Thalia pulled Annabeth toward her. "I think you should do this after the fight. He doesn't need to be distracted now," Thalia warned.

Annabeth lowered her head in defeat. "You're right; I'll just have to be there for him. I don't need to distract him before the fight," she conceded. The two friends walked side by side to the large command tent that was setup in the middle of the encampment. They entered the tent; everyone stopped what they were doing to look their way.

"Sorry we're late," Annabeth said. Her eyes never left Percy's. Percy motioned for them to sit down, but he never said a word. Thalia and Annabeth took a seat across from Percy and Jason.

"Based on the reports from the Hunters, the enemy is in the center of the valley. They will try to use the thermal lakes and geysers as cover during the battle. The steam and water will obscure line of sight for our archers," Percy said. He ran his hand through his hair. Annabeth watched him closely waiting for him to look at her, but he never did. "Unfortunately, this will be a close quarter's fight."

"What are your orders?" Jason asked.

"Jason, you will take the Romans and attack the right flank," Percy said. Jason nodded.

"Thalia," Percy said. Thalia looked at her cousin curiously. "You will lead the Greeks." Everyone was quiet. Leo and Piper gave Annabeth curious looks.

"Why me? I should be with the Hunters," Thalia questioned.

"You are a daughter of Zeus. You have more power than any other choice," Percy said.

"What about Nico?" Thalia questioned. She looked at Nico, but the son of Hades didn't look up.

"Nico isn't ready to do this, but you are," Percy explained.

Annabeth couldn't stay quiet. "Where are you going to be?" she asked pointedly.

"I'm going to find Prometheus," Percy replied. His face held no emotion. Annabeth flinched at the sight. He looked more like Scipio at that moment.

"Why?" Annabeth continued her questioning.

"He's up to something?" Percy said.

"Isn't he always?" Thalia asked mockingly.

"Of course he is, but this time he's got help," Percy replied.

"What kind of help?" Reyna asked. She was seated between Lupa and Chiron.

"Khione is here," Percy said.

Leo whistled. "She's one cold hearted hottie," Leo said. Piper punched him in the arm. "Damn that hurt."

"Serves you right, you idiot," Piper exclaimed.

Percy slammed his fist on the table. No one had ever seen him do that before. His eyes narrowed. He glared at Piper and Leo; they shrank away from his stare. Jason was about to say something, but he didn't as Percy shot him a warning stare. "This is serious business. We can't get distracted. This fight is all or nothing. Either we defeat them or they kill all of us. Do you all get it now?" Percy said.

The tension and anxiety in the room grew. Even Scipio had never been this serious. Everyone in the room knew that the stakes must be high, if Percy was this worried. Percy stood up. "You have your orders, go," he said.

The group stood and walked out of the command tent. Lupa and Chiron shot each other worried glances before they quickly left the tent. Everyone had left except for Annabeth. She remained seated. She was worried about Percy. She was more worried about him than at any other time she could remember. He wasn't acting right.

Percy looked at her with his arms crossed in front of his chest. "Why are you still here?" he asked harshly.

Annabeth flinched internally at the harshness of his tone. "You're not acting like yourself," she said.

"I'm acting just fine," Percy huffed.

"You can't fool anyone. They were all worried about you. I'm worried about you," Annabeth explained.

Percy was taken aback. He thought Annabeth would still be mad at him. "You're not mad at me?" Percy asked.

Annabeth's grey eyes moistened; she wouldn't cry, but she felt guilty and she regretted her actions. "I'm sorry," she said.

Percy gave her a confused look. "What?"

Annabeth rolled her eyes at the stupid question. "I know you wouldn't cheat on me. Rachel wouldn't do that to me. I let my insecurities get to me. I'm sorry for accusing you," she clarified.

Percy stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her. He had tried to push the thought of her leaving him away, but it kept coming back. The thought made him sad and angry, but now it was like the world had lifted off his shoulders. He pulled Annabeth out of the hug she looked up at him with unshed tears in her eyes. He leaned down and kissed her softly. They separated after a few moments. "I'm sorry for getting mad," Percy said.

Annabeth chuckled. "You don't need to be sorry."

Percy shook his head. "I raised my voice to you. I never want to do it again," he explained. Annabeth hugged him. She felt so much better in his arms.

"I don't want to lose you." Annabeth looked into his eyes.

A trumpet blew from outside the command tent. Percy looked toward the entrance of the tent. His bright sea green eyes darkened. He looked down at Annabeth. "No matter what happens, I love you, don't forget that."

"I love you too."

Yellowstone National Park – Battlfield

Over four hundred demigods stood on the edge of the plain. Percy wore his silver armor as he looked around him. Annabeth was at his side; she wore her celestial bronze armor. Nico was on his other side; he wore his Stygian iron armor. "We go and find Prometheus and Khione," Percy said. Percy caught Jason's eye. Jason nodded. Percy turned toward Thalia; her electric blue eyes flashed with understanding. Percy raised Riptide in the air. "Attack"

Jason led over two hundred Romans as they charged toward the enemy camp. Thalia was on the other side of the valley. She led a group of just under two hundred campers and Hunters as they descended into the valley.

Percy, Annabeth and Nico watched as the campers and Romans struck the forces of Gaea. Several hundred monsters of all varieties attacked the campers. Percy worried for them, however, he had a mission, stop Prometheus. Percy scanned the valley until he saw the cave from his dream. "There it is," Percy said as he pointed toward the cave so Annabeth and Nico could see. "Let's get down there."

Percy and his two friends made their way through the fighting. Percy was like a wave of destruction; he ran through the horde of monsters as he slashed them to nothingness with Riptide. The blue-green aura around the sword drew the attention of monsters. They moved toward it likes moths to a flame. The monsters disintegrated under Percy's onslaught. Those that were lucky enough to survive Percy were decimated by Annabeth and Nico; they destroyed any monsters that made it passed their friend.

Percy stopped after he killed the last monster in front of him. He felt something or someone were about to arrive. He turned toward the middle of the plain where Jason, Leo and Piper were fighting side by side. Suddenly, lights of different colors appeared and faded into the fifteen foot tall forms of the Olympians. A dark shadow appeared and Hades emerged with an army of skeleton warriors behind him.

The monsters stopped fighting and retreated to a large rock outcrop that stood surrounded by hot springs and thermal lakes. The Olympians stood in front of the army of demigods. The skeleton army stood to the side; ready to strike at a moment's notice.

"Porphyrion come out here," Zeus yelled.

The ground began to shake as the largest and most powerful of the giants stepped from behind the large rock outcrop. The giant towered over Zeus and the armies below. His green hair was braided into long locks that held swords, axes and daggers. He held a celestial bronze spear in his hand that was the size of flag pole. The tip of the blade glowed in the early morning sun.

"I see you finally emerged from hiding," Porphyrion said.

"I do not hide from the likes of you," Zeus growled.

The giant laughed. "My mother begs to differ," he replied.

"We will begin this fight, and you shall regret ever returning," Zeus said.

"Ah, we'll begin soon enough, but I have a few surprises for some of your family," Porphyrion said.

"What surprises?" Zeus asked. Percy flinched at the term surprises. This was like his dream. It was really happening. Percy and everyone else looked on as the giant raised his hand. At first nothing happened, but then the ground began to shake as six rocks erupted from the ground. The gods and demigods stood in shock at the sight before them. Tied to each rock was a demigod.

Porphyrion smiled at the stunned expressions on the faces of the gods. "Yes, we removed a few more souls from the underworld," he said as he gave Hades a wicked glare. "Let me introduce our guests." Porphyrion walked toward the first rock and smiled at each captured demigod. "Lee Fletcher and Michael Yew, sons of Apollo." He pointed toward the first two captives. Apollo stared at his two dead sons that were very much alive now. "Apollo, you shall yield or my mother shall torture them till death."

Apollo flinched at the threat. He looked at Zeus before throwing his bow on the ground. "I'm sorry father," he said. Artemis tried to put her hand on his should, but he just walked away without even looking at her.

"One down, and a few more to go," Porphyrion said. He looked at the next demigod and smiled. "Castor, son of Dionysus." Dionysus stared at his son. "You shall yield like your brother."

Dionysus nodded his head. He dropped his sword to the ground and walked away from the battlefield without a word.

He stepped toward the next rock with a wicked grin on his face. "Charles Beckendorf, son of Hephaestus," the giant said.

"Dad, don't yield. Don't give up," Beckendorf yelled.

Hephaestus looked at his son and then he glared at the giant. Porphyrion glared back. "Yield god of the forges or your son will wish he was dead a thousand times over," he said.

Hephaestus stared at his son before averting his eyes. "I'm sorry son, but I can't let you suffer," Hephaestus said before he dropped his hammer and turned away.

"Dad, don't leave us," Leo yelled. Hephaestus looked at his son sadly before he walked toward his brothers.

Porphyrion's smile widened. "Silena Beauregard, daughter of Aphrodite," Piper looked at the older sister that she had heard so much about. The dark haired and blue eyed girl stared at Aphrodite. Piper could tell that she wanted her mother to leave her, but Aphrodite had tears in her eyes. Silena had been one of her favorite daughters.

"Mom, this is a trap. You know it," Piper yelled. She tried to lace her words with charmspeak, but even her powers were no match for Aphrodite's.

"I'm so sorry Piper, but I can't lose your sister again. This time I can do something about it," Aphrodite said before she walked toward Apollo and the others.

Porphyrion looked at Hermes; the god of mischief looked at the young man attached to the rock adjacent to the giant. Hermes's eyes widened with surprise and shock. "Luke," he said.

Annabeth and Thalia stared at the blonde haired young man. He struggled against the ropes that held him in place. Thalia and Annabeth both had tears in their eyes. "Let him go," Thalia yelled.

The giant laughed. "Don't worry child of Zeus. You shall have plenty of time to be with him in our new dungeons," Prophyrion said.

Annabeth looked at Percy, but her boyfriend just stared at Luke. She knew that his Scipio persona thought of Luke as a brother. She didn't know what Percy would think of him.

"So, Hermes, you will yield or your son will receive torches many times what he received in the Styx. I will see to that," the giant threatened.

Hermes looked at Luke, and then he turned toward Percy. Percy gave him a slight nod. Hermes smiled sadly before he dropped his caduceus on the ground. He gave one last look toward Luke before he walked away.

Porphyrion stood in front of the last rock. "Now as the mortal say, two birds with one stone or in this case a demigod," he said before he stepped away from the last rock. The giant's white marble eyes glowed brightly in anticipation.

Hades and Artemis gasped at the sight. Tied to the rock was a dark haired girl around twelve or thirteen years old. She wore a silver hunter's outfit. Her dark brown eyes were full of unshed tears.

"Bianca,' Artemis said.

Hades stared at his now alive daughter. "How dare you do this? She wanted rebirth," Hades yelled.

Porphyrion smiled evilly. "It wasn't all my doing. Prometheus was the mastermind, but he needed help. Iapetus helped in the underworld, but even he wasn't enough. We needed to capture Thanatos and find our hostages. Thankfully, we had some help," he said before he turned to look at Nico. "Isn't that right, son of Hades?"

Nico froze in fear. His dark eyes were dull.

Percy and Annabeth stepped away from their friend. "Nico, what did you do?" Annabeth accused.

Nico looked up at Percy and Annabeth. "I wanted her back. I didn't want to lose her again. She would have been reborn and I would have never seen her again," Nico said as tears streamed down his face. "I didn't know this would happen." He fell to the ground and sobbed into his hands.

"Perfect, to see your child broken before you, it must be hard even for a cold hearted bastard like you Hades," Porphyrion said.

"I will kill you myself," Hades growled as his eyes flamed with hellfire.

The giant laughed. "I think not, if you and Artemis don't yield I will see to it that Bianca faces horrors unimagined by even the gods. She will be a nice plaything for my father in the pit," Porphyrion countered.

Hades looked at his daughter. She looked so much like her mother. He couldn't stand for her to suffer. He threw his sword on the ground. The skeleton army broke into pieces before dissolving into the ground.

"Hades, what are you doing?" Zeus asked.

Hades sighed. "I'm sorry brother, but my child must come first," he said as he walked away from the battlefield.

Artemis stood in the center of the plain. She stared at Bianca. The girl's dark hair and eyes reminded her of Zoe. She turned to look at Thalia with a sad expression on her face. "I can't let her die again," Artemis said. Artemis wasn't sure if she was talking about Zoe or Bianca. She started to walk away, but Zeus let a lightning bolt strike the ground in front of her. She turned with an angry glare directed toward her father.

"She is not your child," Zeus bellowed.

"She is as much mine as Hades. She was my sister, my daughter of the hunt. I will not watch her die such a horrible death," Artemis defended. She turned and walked away.

Zeus was stunned. He stepped back as the realization struck him. They were going to lose this fight.

Percy stepped forward. "Hold firm, the battle has not been lost. Giant, your tricks will not win the day. As long as we stand against you the world will not fall," Percy said.

The demigods raised their weapons and cheered.

Poseidon and Athena looked at Percy in admiration.

Porphyrion smiled at the son of the sea. "A nice speech child of the sea, but I have a surprise for you as well," the giant informed.

Out of the cave stepped Prometheus and Khione. Khione held Lou Ellen by the back of the neck. You could see the girl's breath as the air around Khione was below freezing. Prometheus gestured for someone to step out from behind him. A person in a black cloak exited the cave. The person or creature walked up to Prometheus and stood at his side. "Take off your hood," Prometheus said. The hood came off and people gasped in shock and others shrieked in fear, but the biggest surprise was from the son of Poseidon and Neptune. He stared into the sea green eyes, the same eyes that he had. "I would like to introduce the real Scipio Marcellus, killer of Titans, destroyer of giants, and scourge of the gods."

AN: I hope everyone liked the surprises this chapter. More explanation to come next chapter and then on with the battle everyone should have been waiting for, if they knew what was coming like me, Percy versus Scipio. Stay tuned!