A Simple Change VI
Pt VI
Characters: Percy Jackson, Annabeth Chase, Reyna Ramírez-Arellano, Jason Grace, Piper McLean, Leo Valdez, Frank Zhang, and Hazel Levesque
Ships: Percy Jackson/Reyna Ramírez-Arellano, Jason Grace/Piper McLean, Hazel Levesque/Frank Zhang
Description:
A simple nudge, a mistake, a change. Luke Castellan and Thalia Grace do not find Annabeth Chase, instead they find Reyna Ramírez-Arellano. Unbeknownst to them all, Reyna is a Roman Demigod. What happens now when The Daughter of Bellona and The Daughter of Athena are switched by The Fates incidental tampering?
Chapter Description:
Reyna stands upon the prow of The Argo II. She feels like she is coming home, not just to her boyfriend, but to this other camp. The only question left is can eight or so odd Half-Bloods bury the ancient anger between Rome and Greece.
Annabeth must trust Greeks, she knows she can, but its hard to trust people she hasn't met. Even if Percy's words or encouragement makes her think she can put to rest the bad blood.
Review Response:
Here are my review responses.
Robotdocter - I have some works I can use to fill it in. I will probably post that stuff. I might put a lot of them in as shorter extra chapters or a separate work that exists within the same universe. We'll see how that plays out. I have a little bit of that stuff done but I need more of it complete before I decide to post what few scenes and sections I have.
A Plump Hutt - Yes I am a PJO fan. In fact I have been since I first read the books in middle school. I remember having to wait for The PJO series to come out and even continued on with HoO and a bit of The Kane Chronicles. It was a long wait. I still remember the cliff hanger of MoA and going what? There are seven chapters planned for the mainline of this fic but I've been planning to continue it with some extra stuff and diving into the past. Just haven't gotten there yet.
Disclaimer:
This would not leave me alone…. At all…. So here we are. I do not own Percy Jackson & The Olympians, or Heroes of Olympus, I've ignored Trials of Apollo as I haven't read them yet. Please don't sue me!
Reyna and Annabeth & What Exactly is The Prophecy of The Nine!
The Fields of Mars, Camp Jupiter, Bay Area
[June, 2009]
The Romans formed into neat lines across The Field of Mars. Each separated by exactly one metre and arranged by cohort. The First and Second were on the right, while The Third, Fourth, and Fifth were on the left. Their armour gleamed in the afternoon sun, and there was no sign of even a single sloucher. The Legionnaires were in complete parade rest. Ready as both a security and show of force to the approaching Greek Warship.
The sterling eyed young woman turned to gaze at the raven haired young man beside her. They were dressed in purple shirts and jeans, white robes and purple cloaks wrapped around them. Both had swords belted at their waists, but lacked anything else. A small selection of armoured Legionnaires including Legionnaire Zhang and Legionnaire Levesque stood behind them.
"We only have one chance at making a good impression." Sea green eyes met grey.
"Don't worry about it Beth. I'm pretty sure between Reyna and Jason everything will be squared away."
"You're certain you didn't know Leo Valdez?" Percy's lips twisted. Good she better not be the only one concerned about the small boy who had sent them a message with a suspiciously child-like title who looked like he slept in his workshop.
"Must be a new camper. I couldn't place him. I mean there's still some stuff that just doesn't make much sense… or that feels like it's hiding away." Annabeth placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. He didn't open up all that often about his memory. Even less in public. Whichever deity had taken it from him had done quite the number. Which worried Annabeth about what Jason might be like. Was her old friend the person he was? Or was he entirely different?
The Argo II, five minutes to Camp Jupiter
"My skin would be so much more tan if I lived here." It thankfully distracted her, however briefly, from the pit forming in her stomach. She turned an eye onto the short dark haired kid who had built her ship.
"Leo in order to get tan you need to spend time outdoors. You do understand that right?" Came a girl with brunette hair with feathers in it. Her kaleidoscope coloured eyes attempted to lock Leo in place.
"Pipes if we had the weather they do here. I'd be outside a lot more. Maybe even built an open air forge. Maybe I still could." Piper shook her head and sought to reign in the over caffeinated and sleep deprived Leo.
The door onto the main deck opened. Out stepped a blonde haired boy with his blue eyes crystal clear behind his glasses. He had changed into a blank purple shirt, done up a white toga and found a purple cape. She wasn't sure where he'd gotten it all, but part of her thought he might have gotten some help from The Iris Campers.
"How do I look?" Reyna crossed her arms over her chest and looked him up and down. She purposely took at least thirty more seconds than needed. It was fun to watch his expression fall ever so slightly. "Did I mess something up. I bet I can get it with another try. Maybe if I-"
"Slow down Jason." She stepped forward and made a slight adjustment to the cape on his shoulder. "That was the only problem. I get that you're worried. I am too. But we both have to keep our heads. Even more important, we need to make sure Piper's vision doesn't come true. That means no one goes anywhere alone and Leo needs to have his mouth kept shut."
"Reyna…" She stepped back and gave him a slight smile.
"Just remember, you are a leader. Maybe not the kind Camp Half-Blood expected, nor I. But you are one. That is what The Legion needs to see you as today." Reyna smirked at him. "And I mean if you can't pull that off then we have an even bigger problem for the quest than I thought."
Jason's face twisted as he stared at her like she'd grown another head. He reached out poked her shoulder. Reyna cocked an eyebrow at him as her lips pulled into a line.
"Sorry, just had to check you were really there, what with the joke and all." Her jaw dropped.
"Jason Grace you did not just-"
"We'll be landing in about two minutes!" Leo's voice came over speakers built into the ship. Reyna glared at The Son of Jupiter before she spun and stomped over to the prow.
Her breath caught in her throat. She stared out at the city that occupied one side of the lake, and the massive war camp and war fields on the other side. The river that snaked its way from the mountains down to the valley floor and into the lake. It was all green, like looking at photos of ancient Rome restored based on what historians could postulate. A warmth grew in her heart. She was starting to feel like Percy wasn't the only one down there, that maybe something just like Camp Half-Blood, but that fit her better, was there too. Another home.
"Beautiful isn't it?" Reyna nodded. Jason didn't understand what this was to her. To see what he'd said. She and Percy could build a proper life here. A life that might not be cut short before they're twenty. That was something she would fight for, because that was something tangible to her. Something more important than the eldritch fear that Gaea exuded. "I should be the first to deboard."
"No." Jason looked at her. "It has to be me."
"No offence Reyna but you aren't their Praetor." Reyna's obsidian eyes turned even darker. Scarlet light flickered about deep within them.
"No offence Jason, but this isn't up for discussion. Greek and Roman leaders were exchanged. I step off first. No commanding officer worth their salt isn't the first to step into the line of fire. If I don't get off first the message I'm sending to you Romans is that I will sacrifice you to save Greeks. Not exactly a comforting message or a great way to start peace talks." Jason raised his hands and stepped back.
"Okay. Okay, I get it." He didn't. She knew that, but she also didn't need to antagonise him. This wasn't about Percy, this was about showing The Romans they could rely on Greeks. Something that she knew wouldn't come easy to them. Everything she did had to be perfect and presentable. No mistakes, no accidents. Gods please don't let me screw this up.
Reyna took a deep breath and headed for the rope ladder affixed to the side of The Argo II. No one expected Rome to have an actual landing place so it was agreed that they would use the ladder. What she hadn't explained to everyone else was what she was going to wear given Greeks didn't exactly have or keep any formal clothes around. She glanced over the edge. Gods she hated this.
Reyna prepared to put one leg over when Leo's entire body jerked. She turned and her obsidian eyes went wide. A golden glow escaped from Leo's eyes and mouth as he started towards one of the ballista. No. No.
"NO! Jason knock him-" A hand wrapped around her arm and pulled her back onto the ship. Jason stared down at her with the same golden light that filled his glasses.
The Fields of Mars, Camp Jupiter, Bay Area
Annabeth could feel Percy practically vibrating next to her. Everyone's eyes were locked on The Greek Warship. It was built like an Athenian Trireme. A flying replica of a bygone age. It was coated in Celestial Bronze armour across its hull. Lining the top deck were ballista the likes of which Annabeth could never have replicated with the resources of Camp Jupiter. Until Percy had returned they had never had enough Imperial Gold for such a thing.
There were faint outlines, a pair of figures at the prow. Annabeth would recognise that blonde haircut anywhere. He disappeared from view, then a few seconds later the second disappeared. That was the one burned into Annabeth's mind.
It was hard to see the details, but she'd clearly been in a bright orange shirt not unlike Percy's. She had deep black hair like shadow. Annabeth hadn't seen colour in the girl's eyes. In fact for a moment she'd wondered if the other young woman was blind, but then she'd caught movement and noticed the darkness of her eyes.
Annabeth's lips had parted, ready to turn and tell Percy they should move closer. It was customary for guests to be greeted first by Praetors. Then shouts reached her ears. Both her attention and Percy's snapped to the ship.
"Reyna…" Percy whispered. Annabeth realised what was about to happen. She felt it before he even acted. Percy's body stilled and his hand slipped into his pocket.
"Perc-"
"Legio Duodecima custodia!" Percy bellowed. Then he turned to her and smiled. His eyes were full of life. Something she wasn't sure she'd ever seen before. "Permission to go hunt down whatever enemy threatens the camp, Praetor Chase?"
Annabeth blinked. The most powerful Demigod she'd ever met. One who had fought and defeated Polybotes. The one who'd all but singlehandedly crushed the remains of a monster army. The one who'd helped free Thanatos and fought two Gorgons with a Goddess in his arms. His entire being still like the calm before the storm. He waited for her permission. She blinked again. A warm feeling fluttered through her chest at his willingness. The woman he loved was in danger and still he offered her respect. He offered her his loyalty.
"Permission granted Praetor Jackson." His lips pulled into a smirk and then he was gone.
Percy Jackson was many things. Impertinent. Witty. Sarcastic. Powerful. Above all though, he was loyal. Percy summoned a swirl of air that spun into a miniature hurricane at his feet. The gale force winds propelled him upwards. He sailed through the air like he was on Blackjack, surprisingly smooth given that Zeus would normally threaten to smite him. Maybe saving Jupiter's Son would earn him some points. Not that he wanted them, but the less Deities that want to smite him on sight the easier his life would become.
He landed on the deck, knees bent to absorb the impact. It was a madhouse. A brown haired girl with eyes like a kaleidoscope kept shouting. Her words were indistinguishable as a swirling wall of wind kept her boxed away from the others. She pounded on the separating wall, but she looked to be slowing. Piper.
Fire flew through the sky from a short black haired boy. Flames swelled in his hands before he unleashed another volley. Golden light escaped from his eyes and mouth. He moved like a puppet jerked about on strings. Leo.
Another figure, this one Percy well aware of, with blonde hair and a small scar on his upper lip clashed pilum to trident. His purple cloak was torn and there were shallow cuts in his white toga. He moved more fluidly, but there was still some jerkiness to each shift in his body. Air moved bent around him as it created a vortex around the three combatants. Jason.
It was the last one that nearly stopped Percy dead. Her obsidian eyes blazed with crimson light. Her raven locks tied into a braid flowed through the vortex. She was clad in Celestial Bronze armour with a bright blue cloak. In her hands was a trident. It had Celestial Bronze tines and decorations of coral across its sleek green-blue haft. At the opposite end was a weight made of multiple Celestial Bronze shark jaws.
Reyna. There was no one else it could be. She flowed through each stance. Her trident blocked and redirected blows from Jason's pilum. Each stab he sent her way got nowhere close. She was in her element. She flipped around or batted away fireballs from the ranged Leo. Percy's jaw dropped as one aimed right at her. Her arm rose and a Hoplite's shield appeared, dispersing fire across it. Her eyes rose from above it as locks of her hair fell into her face.
"You won't get lucky Eidolons." She rushed forwards. Jason sought to intercept her. Reyna leapt over him and stabbed her trident into the deck. Leo would have been in the way if he hadn't stumbled back at the last second. Percy blinked.
Jason rushed her from behind. His pilum pulled back. Percy swung in. Riptide collided with the pilum and he twisted. Jason found himself locked with The Son of The Sea who was now back to back with Reyna.
"How's it going, Rey?" Reyna glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. His cloak and toga were whipped up by the storm, but his body met no resistance as he held his power out to counter the storm. Reyna's hair fell from the vicious air currents.
"Oceanboy, after this we're gonna have a long talk about where you are allowed to go without supervision." Percy smiled.
"Sounds good, what do we need to do?" Reyna barely bit down a laugh. He slipped right back into her life like a puzzle piece.
"Knockout Jason. Once he's down Piper's Charmspeak should bring them into line until we can get rid of The Eidolons." Reyna darted away. Her sudden appearance before Leo forced the flaming handed boy back. "But do it kindly Oceanboy! We need him alive!"
Reyna didn't look back, she didn't need to. Percy was more than capable. He'd jumped in to help, he'd been there when she'd needed him. Maybe not his exact promise, but close enough. She twirled her trident and it disappeared. Her shield rose as she drew her sword. Fear flickered across the controlled Leo's face. Reyna's lips curled upwards.
She rushed and let flames bounce and dance off her shield. She twisted and swung. The flat of her blade barely missed him as he collapsed limp onto the ground. Her whole body sailed over Leo and she tucked into a roll. She came up and spun on the balls of her feet. Sure enough two blasts of flames slammed her shield and slid her backwards towards the edge of the deck.
"Daughter of The Unknown cannot defeat our powerful form. You will fall." Leo's voice chorused with another echoed in perfect Greek. Reyna's lips settled into a line and she pushed forward.
A torrent of flames erupted from Leo's hands. It pushed on Reyna's shield. Still she pressed forwards. The fire heated the Celestial Bronze, but the enchantments upon it flared. The shield would not break, not so long as her will held.
Reyna took step after step. She closed the distance with Leo. The Eidolon's features shimmered over his own. They flickered to fear. The fire died as she got right to where she wanted to be. Leo hissed in a chorus. One that died as Reyna's sword connected with his head. The flat of the blade reverberated down her arm from the strike.
The golden light faded and Leo's eyes rolled back as he hit the deck like a sack of potatoes. Reyna felt the thunder before it boomed across the sky like a clap. Her gaze shot up and saw Jason hit the deck. Percy stood over him and collapsed to his knees. His chest heaved and his breath was ragged.
Percy was here. Right beside her. Reyna's grip on her weapons went slack. They clanged to the deck. Percy glanced up. He was far more tan than he'd been when she'd last seen him. But he looked almost the exact same, maybe some more muscle, but nothing insane. She rushed forward. Her armoured knees slid over the wood and she tackled him.
Reyna buried her head into his shoulder as tears soaked through his cloak. His arms responded and pulled her close. His head settled on her shoulder. She couldn't tell what words he spoke. They didn't matter, not right now. He was here and he was safe. The puzzle piece fully clicked back into place. She wasn't alone, not anymore.
Neither of them was sure just how long they stayed like that. But a hand settled on Reyna's free shoulder. She blinked away tears and her eyes rose to see Piper. The girl had a small smile on her face. The brunette jerked a thumb to Jason and Leo who'd been repositioned and were being fed nectar and ambrosia. There were Roman soldiers aboard the ship. The Legionnaires had given them distance. There was one that drew her eye though. A blonde with sterling eyes in a get up so similar to what Percy was in and Jason had chosen to wear. This was the other Praetor. Reyna stood and Percy followed. Once they were standing Reyna looked at him and her lips curled.
She changed her grip on his hand, then shifted. Her weight threw him over her shoulder but kept his hand in hers as she followed the moves she'd taught for so long. Percy slammed onto the deck and coughed. Sterling eyes went wide, but slightly parted lips grew into a smile. Reyna dropped his hand. She turned and sauntered away. Maybe she threw an extra sway into her hips, who could blame her.
Reyna stopped before Annabeth Chase, Praetor of The Twelfth, and Jason Grace's friend. They looked each other over. Reyna fairly certain that while she looked nowhere near as presentable as the blonde she was certainly the more intimidating. Who needed height when you'd clearly held your own against a Son of Jupiter. She held out her hand.
Annabeth glanced at the shorter girl, her black hair marred by a similar grey streak that she'd noted on Percy. Her armour was immaculate if covered in soot. The deep blue cloak was charred and there were clear bruises blooming on her face and exposed skin. The other girl was well muscled, built like a child of Mars or Bellona. Annabeth accepted her hand.
"We welcome you Reyna, and your Greek brothers and sisters as allies. Piper has informed me that you stopped an attack by Eidolons who sought to ruin our peace. For that we are in your debt." Reyna smiled and squeezed the blonde's hand tightly, not a warning, it was far too warm for that.
"You are welcome Praetor. I only hope that what has happened here today sets the precedent going forward. I must thank you for treating my friends. That wasn't something you had to do given what just happened." Annabeth raised an eyebrow as the corner of her lips rose.
"Really? If Percy is any indication, you Greeks like making an entrance and almost immediately after need medical attention. What kind of ally would I be if I wasn't prepared and learned from my past?" Reyna smirked back.
"Oh I think we are going to get along just fine."
"Agreed."
Praetor's Residence, New Rome
Eight of whom they believed to be the members of The Prophecy of Nine were gathered. The Eidolons may be gone. No one was entirely sure if the fight had banished them. It left them on edge, but the lack of weapons within New Rome seemed to ease the tension enough.
It had only been a few days, but The Greeks had settled in well with The Romans. Something no one had expected. Now it was time to get their stories straight before they arrived at The Senate to fulfil the requirements of a quest. There could be no mistakes.
"I thought it was The Prophecy of Seven?" The girl named Hazel looked over at Annabeth. The blonde shook her head.
"In a way it is, but there's no way that seven are enough. Not with everything we have to do. There has to be at least two others." Another Legionnaire raised an eyebrow at The Praetor.
"What do you mean?"
"She means the Athena Parthenos." Reyna hated the way the words felt on her lips. That damned statue seemed cursed. She'd heard too many stories of campers lost to its search. Her fingers carefully rubbed at the inside of her wrist.
"What about it?" Piper's brow furrowed as she looked at Reyna. It wasn't a story many Greeks liked talking about, kinda like the girl's knife or Leo's fire powers.
"It was stolen during a raid of Athens. It is believed the statue must have ended up in Roman hands. Ever since it has been just a fraction of the reason for the hatred between Greeks and Romans. It will have to be returned to The Greek Camp to help solidify the alliance." Percy seemed to recognise the tone in her voice, because he turned his dolphin-like gaze on her. She pointedly avoided it. Which trapped her under Annabeth's sterling gaze.
"You. Athena selected you, didn't she?" Reyna nodded. Percy's hand slipped into hers and interlocked their fingers.
"You've done scarier and more dangerous things before. You'll succeed. Especially with help." Reyna wanted to laugh. But she swallowed that quickly. Percy didn't understand. No one did. The last camper to leave on that quest was well before their time.
"Regardless, someone will have to see the statue returned to Camp Half-Blood, possibly more than one. I think that Nico is involved in that. Because I'm pretty sure the statue is in Rome." Annabeth's lips twisted downwards.
"We haven't heard from The Son of Pluto in months. We don't know what has happened to him." Percy hissed beside her.
"We'll have to find him. Hazel, any ideas?" Reyna cocked her head to one side as she regarded the short Legionnaire.
"Give me some time. I bet I can figure something out. I just can't do it on the spot." Percy nodded. Reyna let her perfect posture bend until her head was on Percy's shoulder. No one needed to know what The Mark of Athena on her flesh meant. Not yet at least. For now let them all live in blissful ignorance.
A/N:
The scene. I was mainly inspired to do this by the idea of what would happen if a Greek raised Reyna met a Roman raised Annabeth in full Greek armour. I know I've left us off on a cliffhanger. But this is where I planned to end. An opening for continuation, but without feeling like we hadn't resolved at least something. It still hasn't been revealed that Annabeth and Reyna were switched. So who knows? Thanks for reading! I hope everyone enjoyed! Please leave comments/reviews. I love reading them and it helps show me that people want to see this continued. Translation for the one line below.
Twelfth Legion hold!
-Six Out!
PS as stated previously if people want to see this continue I will definitely consider it, but it will heavily depend on my muses and on my reread of HoO. I have already started some other sections of the story so I might add those in. Those cover a lot of original PJO run and don't go heavily into HoO. If people do want to see that redux of PJO with Reyna please say so! Thanks again! Also please review/comment if you want to see this continue. My muses are influenceable. I hope everyone has enjoyed this story along with me and I hope you have a wonderful week!
Double PS I lied. I have already begun continuing this story. I think that I will leave this as completed as the main segment is. The rest of this will no doubt be posted as a part of a series on AO3 and continued on Fnet accordingly. I have already begun working on shorts and extra scenes that will be posted to this fic though. Those should follow key events of The PJO run while I work towards continuing into HoO. I will also need to finish my read through proper of PJO and HoO as I progress… So I guess I'll get on that. Thank you to everyone who stuck around this long to read this note. A question I will pose to you all is would you want to see Annabeth in a relationship with someone or not? I plan on her getting a happy ending, but I don't know which one. So your help would be appreciated!
