"You are to make Percy praetor, he has an important role to play and must be trusted by all." Lupa instructed, Reyna opened her mouth to protest but Lupa beat to it,
"What is not to like daughter of Bellona? He is strong, handsome, powerful, respectful. The perfect partner for you, give him time and things might be able to speed up romantically." Reyna blushed at the thought, he was undeniably handsome and she had been waiting for the right man to take over for co praetor. Being a praetor meant that you and your partner bonded in many ways, friendly ways and romantic ways.
"But what if he is not a good fighter?" She questioned and Lupa gave her a wolfish smile,
"We shall see."
Percy stood in the coliseum holding his two imperial gold hunting knives, he wore his hoodie that his father had given him and the hood covered his eyes. He stood tall as the crowd roared in anticipation of the upcoming battles, he could hear bets being placed on how long he would last. His golden bow was currently being held with the roman god of borders along with his guitar. Percy only brought his knives and his sword Anaklumos for he wanted to fight the Romans fairly so he gave it to Terminus for safe keeping.
"LEGIONNAIRES! We will be watching Percy Jackson fight to be accepted into a cohort. Bring out the fifth cohort centurion!" Reyna bellowed, Frank walked into the arena and Percy smirked deviously,
"Well if it isn't the son of Mars?" Percy taunted as Frank took a fighting stance, Percy just stood there watching him in amusement. Frank scowled and glared at him,
"I'd love to see you try to take me down." He seems to be more like a son of Ares then Mars. Percy mused as he casually approached him, his stance was firm but based on his weight Percy knew he wasn't a quick fighter. Frank probably had strength but by the angry glint in his eyes Percy could tell he lacked strategy, Frank looked as though he could attack Percy at any moment. Frank clutched his sword tightly and Percy yawned and looked at him expectedly,
"Are we gonna fight or are you just gonna stand there like a ditz?" Frank roared in rage and charged at Percy, Percy remembered king Perseus doing the same thing. At the last second he stepped out of the way and tripped the centurion. Frank fell and quickly jumped to his feet, he slashed his sword at Percy who easily blocked the strike with his knives. Percy sliced a long gash into his stomach making Frank bend over in pain, he then grabbed his face in his hands and slammed Frank's face into his knee. The son of Mars nose cracked and blood gushed out, he then fell to the ground unconscious. Percy wiped his bloody knives off and turned to Reyna who was very surprised at how short the match was. Apollo campers took his unconscious body away. The crowd cheered but some booed loudly,
"Bring out the forth cohort." Reyna called and a boy appeared, he marched proudly and had blue eyes. He had bright blonde hair and Percy knew it was one of Apollo's children, he carried a bow and Percy sheathed his knives. He brought out Anaklumos and Reyna gasped once she saw the celestial bronze sword,
"I am Jordan, son of Apollo. May the best man win." Percy nodded and decided he liked Jordan, he wasn't boastful or cocky like Frank was. Jordan fired arrows at a rapid speed, Percy dodged and used his blade as a shield against the arrows. They bounced off his sword as he flipped and rolled in between arrows, Percy began to advance on the son of Apollo while easily avoiding the arrows. To his surprise one caught him in the stomach, he grunted as pain exploded in his stomach. Instead of falling like the Romans predicted he ripped the arrow out and glared at Jordan murderously, he threw the arrow back at him catching the son of Apollo in the thigh. Percy silently cursed himself for not wearing armor but knew that with no armor he would gain the acceptance and respect of the Romans faster. Not to mention he hated how heavy and bulky armor was, it was hot and limited his movements. Jordan screamed and Percy took his moment of distraction and charged at him, Jordan saw this and quickly took out a knife. Percy moved so quickly that he looked like a blur, he smacked Jordan's arm with the flat of his blade making it go numb. He then dodged Jordan's blade as he attempted to feebly fight him off, Percy couldn't feel the pain in his stomach anymore as anger boiled through him. He fought himself so he wouldn't burst into flames. Jordan tried to kick Percy but Percy easily grabbed his foot and twisted it with one hand, with his sword in the other hand he swept Jordan off his feet with the flat of his blade. Jordan let out a yelp and fell flat on his face, Percy put his sword to the back of his neck,
"Yield." He growled and Jordan turned his face to the side,
"I yield." Percy lowered his sword and pulled Jordan to his feet. Jordan nodded gratefully as he limped put of the arena. Percy knew that the Roman's pride was wounded. The pain in Percy's stomach returned and he groaned, he held his hands to the wound as blood slowly trickled out of the hole. His hands became hot and he slowly closed the wound with the heat. His stomach hurt like crazy but the pain lessened, no one noticed his slightly red hands and he wiped the sweat that appeared on his brow. Reyna called for the third cohort centurion to come out an Piper walked onto the arena, she smiled at him which left him slightly dazed,
"Hello Percy, won't you take off your hood?" He smiled at her and shook his head,
"Hey Piper, won't you come and play?" She laughed and twirled her gladius, he could tell she was a nimble fighter as she approached him gracefully. Her kaleidoscope eyes started to mesmerize him and he barely registered when she swung her gladius at him, he ducked at the last second and slashed at her stomach. She parried the strike and tried to hit him with the butt of her blade, he swiftly dodged it and marveled at her skill. Her beauty helped distract while her swordsmanship was fantastic, with her being a girl and since she was slim she was easily underestimated which was an advantage for her. He knew men and women were equal but with her caring smile she would be easily down played as a minor threat. He jumped in the air and brought his sword down in a deadly arch, it was full of strength and power. Piper knew she wasn't strong enough to block the attack so she jumped back right as Anaklumos hit the ground, the force of the strike made the ground rumble causing Piper to lose her balance. She fell on her butt and Percy leveled his sword to her neck,
"Do you yield?" His voice held authority and power, Piper had a tinge of pink on her cheeks that didn't go unnoticed by Percy.
"Step away Percy, I'm your friend." Her voice was laced with charmspeak and he stepped away from her as his eyes glazed over. She stood with her gladius and got closer to the demigod before flipping off his hood, she loved looking into his eyes. They looked into hers and he suddenly saw Zoe's eyes instead, he shook from his trance but kept pretending as an idea formed.
"Drop your sword Percy." He knew she found him attractive since she blushed almost every time he was near. Instead of dropping his sword he took off his shirt which showed a well toned six pack. Three white, identical scars decorated his chest and Piper gasped in surprise, he's hot! She thought as she stared at his abs, there was an uproar of yelling, whistling, and cat calls. He ignored them all and swept Piper's legs out from under her, instead of letting her fall to the ground he caught her and held his sword to her throat,
"Pay back Pipes. Yield?" She was blushing heavily and was in shock that he had beaten her at her own game. His abs were noticeably hard which made Piper blush even harder,
"Ya." He grinned and set her straight, she smiled at him,
"Well played Jackson." He chuckled and put his shirt back on before flipping his hood to cover his eyes. Piper walked out of the arena, Reyna was still surprised at his ab display,
"U-uh send o-out next...cohort." She stammered and Jason walked, Percy grinned devilishly even though he was still a bit tired from his fight with Piper.
"Now I've been looking forward to this one for quite some time." Jason said to Percy while he flipped a coin, it transformed into a gladius, he caught it in midair while the tip of the sword cackled with electricity. Percy looked at the blonde unimpressed,
"Are you done with the theatrics?" he asked in a bored tone which made Jason chuckle. Jason charged at Percy and jabbed at him, Percy blocked the jab with the flat of his blade and tried to trip Jason with his sword. Jason jumped over the blade and brought his own sword down quickly, Percy anticipated this move and rolled to side as Jason cut through air. Jason whirled around as Percy gave him a quick cut on his leg. Jason hissed in pain and hacked furiously at Percy but he could never seem to land a blow. Percy was to fast and to experienced, but Percy was mildly surprised that Jason was a decently skilled warrior. Percy thrust his sword at Jason's chest but Jason blocked, swords clashed as the two children of the big three fought for dominance and power. The swords locked and Jason began to push back onto Percy, Percy pretended he couldn't keep up with Jason's strength as the son of Jupiter began to push even harder and used his body weight to help him. Percy pulled away and Jason fell forward, Percy stuck out his foot and Jason flew and hit the dirt. He jumped to his feet,
"Come come Jason! Surely you can do better son of Jupiter!" Percy yelled and Jason smirked as his hand cackled with electricity, Percy wasn't fazed for Thalia had shocked him numerous times. Percy was suddenly surrounded in a dark aura and the earth trembled, Jason was surrounded by an electric blue aura and thunder was heard. Reyna groaned,
"Well there goes another coliseum." Sparks flew out of Jason's finger tips and he blasted lightning at Percy, he somersaulted over it and the earth shook violently as he landed on his feet. The whole arena turned dark as shadows crept into the coliseum. Jason flew backwards and was about to hit the ground but summoned the winds so that he could fly. Percy mentally cursed because Jason had the high ground, sweat drenched the two heroes and Jason shot more lighting at Percy who rolled to the side. Percy ran and jumped in the air, Jason was surprised at the height he could jump and the grace he possessed while jumping. Percy resembled a tiger while he jumped for his prey, when he was at the highest point in the jump he shadow travelled. Jason looked around in confusion and Percy appeared on top of the coliseum right behind Jason,
"This is going to be really stupid but I just can't resist." Percy laughed, he capped Anaklumos and jumped, he was free falling and the crowd gasped in surprise while Percy laughed loudly. Jason turned around as Percy fell on him, they flew to the ground with Jason underneath Percy.
"Yeeeee Haaaawwwwww!" He yelled and whooped, Jason was to stunned to call upon the winds. They crashed into the ground making Percy's ears ring and his heart beat rapidly from the adrenaline, Jason looked like a pancake as he was smothered into the earth. Percy rolled off the son of Jupiter and laughed even louder, he stood up shakily and the children of Apollo rushed Jason to the infirmary. Though Percy felt guilty about Jason's pain he was exhilarated from the amazing free fall, his hood had flipped off from the fall and he flipped it back on. He knew Jason was tough and that he'd be okay, the Romans cheered Percy on while Reyna was baffled at the display of guts, power, speed, and strategy that Percy had shown. He was bold as a true roman should be and didn't just use his strength, he was cunning and quick. The shadows disappeared in the arena,
"Bring out the first cohort centurion." Reyna yelled as Percy regained his breath, a boy who resembled a scarecrow walked in with his head held high. He wore armor and looked scrawny and mal nourished. Percy grinned but knew to never underestimate an opponent no matter what, sweat drenched his entire body from the fight with Jason. His muscles ached from the impact of of the fall and and he stretched them out, the scarecrow boy sneered,
"I am Octavian! The augur of Apollo! You shall be defeated! Take off your hood coward!" His voice was shrill and it hurt Percy's ears and he glared at his brothers augur, he was rude and arrogant. Percy knew he was no coward, he had just jumped off a coliseum for Jupiter's sake!
"That's big talk from a scarecrow. How'd a runt like you become Apollo's augur? You are not worthy enough to look upon such an awesome god." There was a loud whistle and it drew the fighters attention to the stands,
"Woo hoo! Apollo is awesome!" Percy saw a boy with blonde hair that looked about fourteen was sitting by...the hunters. Oh Styx, he prayed that Zoe hadn't seen his fight with Piper, man that would be awkward. He couldn't see her that well but he knew the boy was Apollo, he grinned at his brother before Octavian spoke up,
"That boy is weird...the hunters are here too? Oh this is great." He said sarcastically which made Percy chuckled at the irony,
"I thank the guy is awesome. But I have to agree with you on the hunters." Octavian glared at them,
"They just like to kill boys for the fun of it. Can't say a single sentence without being yelled at!" This made Percy chuckle even louder,
"I know right?" Octavian nodded in agreement before leveling his sword at Percy,
"Prepare to be defeated." He spat and Percy raised an eyebrow,
"Dude are you bipolar?" Octavian charged at Percy and swung his sword wildly which Percy easily side stepped and kept his sword sheathed. He threw a punch at Octavian who ducked, Percy expected this and gave him a strong upper cut to the jaw. He fell on his back and Percy stomped on his stomach making him yelp. He backed away as Octavian stumbled to his feet,
"Your not scary! I am fearless!" Octavian bellowed and Percy smirked as the entire arena darkened again, Percy stomped on the ground and a stairway appeared leading down. Screams could be heard from the stairway and Percy grinned maniacally while Octavian looked down the stairs fearfully while screams of agony filled the arena.
"Hear that Octavian? That's the field of punishment," Percy grabbed him by the throat and leaned him towards the entry way, skeletal and human hands reached out to try and grab the auger,"I wonder what would happen if I cast you down there...what punishment shall I pick for you? Should it be something along the lines of teddy bears?" Octavian screamed as plush teddy bear paws reached out to him and touched his face.
"How-how did y-you know!" Percy smirked but didn't answer his question,
"Yield, I won't throw you in if you yield." The augur nodded and Percy threw him away from the stairs and closed the earth. Reyna's eyes popped open as she stared at Percy in shock, he's the one, Lupa is right. She realized and the crowd cheered as Octavian ran away, she got out of her seat and entered the arena next to Percy,
"Percy, I would like to offer you the spot of co praetor. You would be perfect with your speed, strategy, strength, and boldness." Percy's eyes widened, this is where he would gain the Romans favor,
"I accept." Reyna grinned and looked at the audience before raising Percy's arm up. He felt like he won a boxing match,
"Legionnaires meet your new praetor, Percy Jackson!" The crowd roared in approval and excitement and Percy believe how fast this was happening, he didn't know that it had been Lupa's doing. Artemis was in her roman for as Diana, she smiled proudly at her brother but grimaced as she remembered the reason she was here.
"You shall get your tattoo in the morning, until then you are free to do what you want. You may pick your cohort in the morning as well." He nodded excitedly before crushing her in a hug,
"Thanks Reyna." He set her down and ran out of the arena to find the hunters. Reyna blushed heavily and felt as though life would be better with the son of Pluto around.
"PERCE THAT WAS AWESOME!" Apollo yelled once they were away from all the Romans, he gave his little brother a man hug that Percy happily returned. Diana hugged her little brother too along with Phoebe, Thalia, and Grace. Once the hugs were over Grace hopped on his back and he laughed, he looked at Zoe expectedly and she glared at him,
"I thought the fight with the daughter of Venus was interesting." Percy paled and cleared his throat nervously. Diana saw the confrontation showing up and spoke up,
"Common girls, these best friends need to talk." Grace looked at them in confusion but followed the girls. Phoebe flashed Percy a knowing smirk and he stuck his tongue out at her which made her laugh. Apollo conjured a seat and some popcorn and began munching on it loudly as he watched the two like they were a movie,
"Look Zoe, I only used my abs as a distraction like she did to me with her face and voice." If possible the glare intensified,
"So your calling her beautiful?"
"Dear Jupiter! She's...pretty and stuff and she's good with charmspeak."
"So she's attractive to you?"
"Yes-wait! I mean she's pretty but your beautiful!" Apollo leaned in closer as he kept chomping the popcorn loudly,
"This is soo much better then twilight! Perce your really in the doghouse!" He grumbled and Percy shot him a glare while Zoe continued to glower at him,
"Why did did you hold her at the end?"
He ran a hand through his hair, "Because I didn't want her to get hurt. And it's her fault for being attracted to me-"
"So you've met her before, has she tried to make a move on you?" Zoe cut him off and Percy shook his head,
"No, she likes Jason more." She nodded slowly before giving him a kiss on the lips. Though she'd never admit it she had missed him, she was angry that he left her without saying goodbye but soon got over it once Artemis explained she just flashed him there.
"AWWWWW!" Apollo cooed and they broke apart blushing and Percy glared at the sun god, before he could yell at his brother someone called out,
"Percy?" He froze and whispered to Zoe,
"Pretend we're arguing." She nodded while Apollo quickly disappeared. Percy then yelled out loudly,
"Your mom!" Zoe fought to keep from laughing before she became serious,
"Stupid male!"
"Stupid female!"
"Your kind is arrogant and rude!"
"Well your kind doesn't make very good wives!"
"You cheat on women all the time!"
"Nu uh!"
"Ya huh!" Piper burst through the bushes to see Percy and a hunter arguing. When he saw her he mentally face palmed while Zoe glared at her. Piper glared back and grabbed Percy's arm while yanking him away,
"Reyna wants to see you."
"Tell her I'll be there in a little bit, I just gotta deal with miss sexist over here." he spat at Zoe, suddenly Diana appeared and completely ignored Piper,
"He knows." She said worriedly and Apollo came back as well, he was pale and looked as though he could faint at any moment.
"Jupiter, Percy he found out about you, me, the hunt." He stressed at the thought of his siblings being punished. Percy's eyes widened along with Zoe's while Piper watched them in confusion. Percy took deep breaths,
"Ho-how did he find out about us?" He stammered and Diana glared at the ground bitterly,
"Minerva has been watching us." Zoe grabbed Percy's hand as he started to hyperventilate, he didn't want his sisters and Diana in the hunt to be punished for harboring him. He didn't want Apollo being struck down for being his brother, he didn't want Zoe to die because she cared for him. It was all his fault, all of it. They would die like Bianca, his breathing became quicker and Zoe crushed him into a hug. His breathing slowed as tears formed in his eyes and he hugged her back, Diana embraced them as well and Apollo joined in but was mindful not to touch Zoe. Piper's mind was swimming in confusion of the situation as she saw Percy being hugged by a sun god, a hunter, and a man hating goddess. Minerva flashed in and stared at the scene in remorse,
"Jupiter request your presences in the throne room immediately."
And what do you think? Percy will have more camp halfblood arrivals and will still be with the hunt. Voting is now closed and the results are in...I'm not gonna tell ya but their in. Ya, comment and sorry if the praetor scene was wrong I don't know how they but praetors in charge. So hoped you liked the chapter, decided that Percy can't heal himself to well, don't be mad at me for making Frank arrogant. He's a son of the war god, also it's my story. And sorry for the lack of perzoe but this chapter was so Percy could find his place with the Romans. Comment!