I strutted into the Throne Room, Aphrodite at my side.
"Annabeth." I said calmly to my first love, and hopefully second to last, now that I had Aphrodite. "Percy, we need to talk-"
"No!" I snapped, "We do not have to talk. The old, understanding Percy is gone. I've emerged from the weak mortal shell as Augustus Maximus Valentinus! My name will be remembered throughout Rome as long as I reign, and yours will only be spat upon! My single betrayer."
She stiffened. "Fine, then, Augustus. If you're going to be such a jerk, I wouldn't want to be the queen at your side anyways. You can have the (offensive word that rhymes with door ~pugs) Aphrodite if you want, but there will never be a second chance with me!"
Aphrodite began to step forward, taking off one of her earrings and thrusting it out to me, but I held an arm out to stop her.
"Okay, then, Annabeth. If you think you're so great, we shall have combat. One hour in the arena!" I decided, knowing her fatal flaw would virtually garuntee she would be there, and grabbing Aph's shoulder, teleported to my palace.
I sat by the fireplace with Aphrodite, tongues of purple fire stretching towards my prescence.
"Perc- Augustus, are you sure you can beat her?" She asked concernedly, sipping a glass of '82 -1282- Dionysus' Vineyards Wine.
"Please," I scoffed, "I'm the god of soldiers and weapons! Besides, I am a vampire. It'll be satisfying when I rip her throat out in front of Minerva and drink her blood-"
"Pe- Augustus! No, don't do that. You're not that evil." She chided, rubbing my back.
"I'm a vampire," I muttered, "What do you expect?"
"You're also a king. Kings are fair, brave, loyal, and merciful, if not in a war or fighting for power."
"I'm the jester sitting on the king's throne." I mumbled.
"Augustus Perseus Maximum Valentinus, you are the bravest king I have seen in the past four centuries!"
"Really?" I perked,
"Really. Now lets go get dressed for the battle. If you win, there will be great things in store for you back home." She said seductively, and I jumped up to grab my battle armor.
An hour later, I pulled into the Olympian Circus, and handed the reins to the aurae on valet duty. Tossing her a small pouch of denarii, I strode towards the Challenger's Entrance. Pulling out Riptide, I willed the single handed sword to turn into a large, five foot long, double-handed blade. Crowds of my father, Jupiter, Aphrodite, Hermes, Demeter (I guess she approved of my mild like of cereal), and Mars Ultor (he'd come to respect me [somewhat] now that I had defeated Saturn) along with other spectators (in the normal stands, for gods, goddesses and emperors were only allowed in the Praetorian Spectorium) cheered me on as I boldly stepped into the dust bowl arena. I also saw Jake and his pack, along with the Cullens, trying to talk their way into the small box. I called out the guards name, Rufus, and nodded my head. He bowed and let them through. My armor's color today was platinum black, with the full Roman getup- even the strange skirt and all. I hefted my sword easily and waved to the crowd. Hoardes of fans called my new name, and I looked at the other end of the Arena.
In the Accepticus' Praetorian Spectorium, I saw Minerva, Bacchus, drunk of course, Diana, Pluto (surprise!), Apollo (who was VERY pissed at me), and Vulan (strange...) sitting in the box, cheering at the girl emerging from the other end of the stand.
She wore grey armor, and held her dagger. Her eyes narrowed through her helmet as she saw me and my fans booed her. Grinning darkly, I took my stance. Jupiter stood and boomed, "Gods, goddesses, mortals, and erm, vampires and werewolves, we are here to engage in the gladiatus fight of Augustus Maximum Valentinus, and Annabeth Chase!"
Sitting down, he held his hand out. Slowly, his thumb pointed towards his domain.
The fight was on.