All rights belong to Rick Riordan

Chapter 89

I Wouldn't Want To Be Me

(Reyna)

I could not help but watch the scene unfurling in front of me with twisted fascination. It was one thing to hear Perseus talking about what he can and had done but watching him was quite another thing all together. If I had any sympathy for his victim I may have actually been worried about the macabre events that were taking place but instead all I felt was satisfaction. Satisfaction for that arrogant little shit getting his comeuppance for what he put me through and what he had continued to put my friends through after I left.

So while I enjoyed the event taking place before me I had a slight tinge of regret however. After all this had all come about because of my actions with the little whore. Yes I had moved on from Jason... in quite the most ironic way considering. But the truth was I still could not stand that little bitches face and nothing was likely to change that fact.

But as a result of that one simple action, Percy had done his usual and ran in to the rescue and paid the price. Not physically I was pretty sure the gun was about as effective on him as a water bomb against a whale and now that swords were in play he was practically guaranteed victory, the guy could fight the entire hunt simultaneously in close quarters unless we rigged the game in advance. But the truth was he or rather Perseus was destroying something else or rather reinforcing it in others perspectives.

He was now going out of his way to show them exactly how dangerous and uncontrollable he really was.

In effect he was representing himself as everything the Romans believed an immortal should be. Dangerous, all powerful and certainly not to be crossed if you valued your life, even sadistic on occasion. Which while true in all regards they were not the real Percy Jackson, the idiot goofball who in reality just wanted to relax and spend time hanging around the Hunt... before sneaking off to make out with a certain goddess. The guy had enough worries coming up in his immortal life; he did not need to be making himself the boogieman of Romans everywhere.

To quote the Dark Knight movie:

"You either die a Hero or live long enough to find yourself become the villain."

The looks of the Senators around the room gave that away. Most were transfixed in revulsion at the giddy sense of enjoyment Perseus got as he hacked my 'counterpart' limb from limb and frankly who could blame them. Of the two Olympians in the room one was practically supporting his actions and the other, the erstwhile protector of Rome had decided to stay out of it for fear of personal safety. The same was true of the six minor gods who likewise were powerless to do anything about the grizzly 'gladiator' style battle. Sure there were some who looked to be enjoying Steven taken down a peg or two (Clarisse) but they were in the minority and that was more as a result of their own hatred for the Praetor.

Of course while I was debating the horror show in front of me Perseus simply kept adding to the script as he finished dismembering the idiot in new and inventive ways before just getting annoyed seemingly with Steven's lack of effort in the whole dying business, and just getting petty as he stabbed him in the groin. Much to the lamentation of every guy watching who all winced in chorus.

But it was at that moment everything turned strange as Perseus began to wince as if in pain and hold his head falling to one knee. Sure getting shot in the head would usually cause some sort of headache (immediately prior to death) but I had a feeling that this had nothing to do with his earlier injury and was more some other big surprise we hadn't seen yet. It was only when I began to see the shadows around him slowly fading that I realised he was beginning to generate light himself and that was not a good thing.

'Romans look away.' I screamed as a command as I hastily shut my eyes.

(Diana)

As the blinding light finally faded I was able to see what had happened. With a mixture of both surprise and anger. Surprised at the scene that was now playing out in front of me and angry that he had risked every mortal in the room. Mostly Reyna in fairness the majority of the rest I could not care about.

Well it was easy enough to work out what had happened after all I was ready versed in the whole scenario. Where before there had been two figures in the centre of the room (technically more one and half after the Praetors little weight loss program). Now there were three. One dying in a pool of his own blood, one struggling to his feet and the other already there and looking down at the second with a rather pissed off expression in his gold and green eyes.

'Well I guess this answers that question over whether they can separate, you can have the psycho one.' Artemis voiced with a mix of happiness and confusion. I wanted to tell her where she could shove that suggestion when events overtook my thoughts.

As Perseus made it back to one knee his doppelganger grabbed Maelstrom and swung it at his face until it rested but millimetres from the aspect's nose. In doing so he managed to cut another lump out of the already maimed Praetor's groin but I was not bothered about that idiot by this point, I was more concerned with the look of worry on Perseus face. For seemingly the first time he actually realised he was vulnerable and he did not have the ability to hide behind Percy.

'If you kill him, you will kill yourself.' A voice said matter of factly to my side and I remembered the War god's presence.

'I don't care, no matter what he is just a sadistic monster.' Percy replied practically growling the words out as he focused on his own counterpart who was slowly going cross eyed as he looked at the sword point in front of his face.

'And mine is a idiotic biker who has less brain cells after every fight, the difference is kid if you went and died people might actually miss you. Make of that what you will, dear gods you would make my father happy if you did.' Mars said simply before turning around.

For the first time since his separation Percy finally took his eyes off his doppelganger and look at me. His eyes full of weariness, pain, and sadness.

'Do not even think about leaving me because of that idiot. Or I will hunt you down and stick an arrow so far up your ass you will have to cough it out.' I told him firmly though I could feel my voice breaking as I did so.

'I know you would but I can't stand it, he is the problem. No matter how much he tries to justify it he is just a violent monster. He already tried to kill you once. What's to stop him trying again? I won't let him.' Percy declared tiredly turning back towards Perseus raising the sword back a few inches.

'You always wondered what your life would have been like if you had known your father, would your mother have had to suffer those long years. If you love me so much as to make me and our children go through that then you may as well kill yourself.' I screamed at him feeling moisture running down my face.

For the longest moment he remained there unmoving his arm just one short thrust away from ending Perseus's and by extension his own existence. Slowly I began to see miniscule movements in his hand as he slowly relaxed the white knuckled limb, the blade eventually falling to the floor with a loud clang the rest of him however remained motionless as he stared at his counterpart with something akin to loathing.

'Phew I actually thought you were gonna do i-.' Perseus said happily only to fall silent as Percy delivered a vicious kick to the side of his head and knocking him unconscious.

'You have no idea how much I have wanted to do that all week.' Artemis said with a tone as if to suggest it was Christmas all over again for her. Frankly I couldn't blame her after what the idiot had put us all through.

'Diana I-.' Percy began only to be silenced as I stepped forward and cut his apology short by stopping his lips with my own. Much to the surprise of almost everyone present. I was willing to bet that if anyone in here went outside and tried explaining what was going on they would be ignored as a mad man.

'Don't you ever do that again!' I told him angrily after reluctantly pulling away.

'I can't keep just knocking him unconscious for the rest of time.' Percy said in resignation giving the unconscious figure a brief glance before turning back to me.

'I know a long list of people that would be willing to take turns. Also how the hell is he still alive?' I asked catching sight of the limbless Praetor who was still unmistakeably breathing between bouts of coughing up blood.

'Hell if I know but I guess I have to put it right one way or another. Sorry about worrying you by the way.' He said smiling wiping the golden tears of my face before turning around and walking towards the immobile figure. I would have just let the asshole bleed to death personally.

It was quite to my surprise when they were both surrounded by light for a few seconds before revealing the Praetor back with limbs attached and no longer crispy.

'Why does he always insist on playing nice with his enemies?' Mars asked noticing what he had done.

'Because he is an idiot, unfortunately.' I said in resignation.

After a few seconds the Praetor seemed to regain awareness and became aware of the Titan looming over him and tried desperately to get away only to fall flat on his face as his legs failed to respond appropriately. Fortunately or unfortunately for him Percy seemingly took pity and grabbed him by the back of the neck and lifted him to his feet before pulling him back towards me and his father.

'I believe this belongs to you.' Percy said disdainfully depositing the boy in front of Mars.

'Unfortunately.' Mars said his words full of disappointment and loathing.

'I will kill yo-.' The Praetor began towards Percy only to be sent sprawling as his own father punched him.

'Praetor Steven you are hereby relieved of your command of the twelfth Legion Fulminata. Furthermore for the unprovoked crime of attacking an Olympian you are hereby exiled from the city for the rest of your days.' Mars stated loudly for everyone to hear.

'Who did I attack?' The boy demanded in enraged tears.

In response Mars simply pointed at Percy.

'You have one hour to get out of my city, Praetor Reyna you have command. If he is not gone by then don't worry about Terminus and the no weapon rule, I will deal with him for you.'

'Yes Milord.' Reyna said saluting the god who merely nodded.

'Jackson try and keep control of yourself next time.' Mars said with finality before disappearing.

'Kid I gave you back a pair of legs for a reason so I suggest you start using them before I throw you out of this city... from about twenty thousand feet in the air.' Percy added threateningly flapping his wings and the kid seemed to finally get the hint and tried to leave only to fall on his face again before picking himself up.

'I could fix the damage but I cannot totally fix the nerves Maelstrom severs which means the good news is he cannot pass his stupidity on.' Percy said with cruel humour as he turned away.

'Reyna get their attention would you.' He said turning towards the now sole Praetor/Huntress.

'Romans!' She shouted commandingly getting the attention of all the senators before stepping aside and allowing Percy to take her place.

'You all know who I am or you do at least by reputation. I never intended for this to happen but like his predecessor before him the Praetor forced me to take action. Actions that I cannot condone anyone to do yet once again it was necessary. I am not a heartless monster who seeks only to betray murder and destroy that you may have heard. And yet once again I find myself being pulled back into this cities politics to fix your problems. You are a democracy so how about you actually think for yourselves for once and decide your own fates. You have within you the right to decide what you want to do with this city. One person making all the decisions and squandering power did such a good thing with the original Rome after all, so why do you keep insisting on repeating the same mistake?'

'You have no right to tell us anything, you were exiled and removed from all records.' Someone declared much to my amusement.

'Oh I am sorry did I forget to pay the membership or something. Or are you just a fucking idiot. If I can go on up to Olympus and tell Lord Jupiter to go fuck himself I am pretty sure I can tell you all to stop being a bunch of sheep.' Percy shouted in amusement and the discernible sound of thunder could be heard from the East.

'Blah blah I don't care... Right who is next on my list... You six.' Percy said looking around before focusing on the minor gods. However as he did so I noticed his eyes had turned completely golden and the audience had stopped moving.

'Nico and Leo either take a hike or cover your ears or something.' Percy said causing them both to vanish with a sigh of relief.

'As for the four of you. WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU PLAYING AT? You are supposed to be acting as examples of what demigods should aspire to be; instead you are all so engrossed in your own petty affairs that you just turn a blind eye to any problem that comes along. The hint is in the titles guys, gods of HEROES. So how about you get of your asses and actually help those you are supposed to represent. Instead as if I did not actually have enough to do dealing with Orthrys, Olympus, The Hunt, My future wife, Assassin wannabes and an asshole aspect I have to come here and sort out your mess as well. So sort your shit out or I will knock all four of you down a flight of stairs.' He said ending the jab by looking in Piper's direction.

'We cannot interfere with the cities affairs.' Frank said weakly.

'Says who? Last I checked as Percy said you were the gods of Heroes which means you essentially have the same rights of influence over demigods as I do over the hunters. Any more excuses?' I told him firmly.

'Why are you only complaining at us and not Leo and Nico?' Piper said angrily.

'Because believe it or not they actually have a valid excuse if you went and actually spoke to them. Nico has half the Underworld to manage and believe it or not him and Leo are not what I would call people persons. Sure Leo can deal with them at a push but the truth is he doesn't others well but he tries. You four on the other hand are seemingly so caught up in your relationships you don't give a shit what happens around you as long as it does not interfere with you.'

'Oh yeah because letting your little attack dog do what she wants is helping everyone.' Piper muttered under her breath.

'Oh I am sorry were you expecting me to be disappointed with Reyna for what she did. My only complaint is that she could not do it to your mother. Why don't you ask that self centred whore how she is doing and rather what she has been doing then you have the right to question anything I do girl.' I growled at her full of loathing. Sure she was not her mother but she had enough in common for me to see the connection. I barely tolerated the twins and they were sworn to me, the rest of the children of the love goddess were not in my good books.

'Yeah because no one missed your little make out session earlier, who would have thought the goddess of virgins was such a whore herse-.' She said mockingly only to stop as I leapt over the table in front of her and slammed her to the floor in a fit of anger. A knife pressed point first into the bottom of her chin.

'Listen hear you little bitch, you have no idea what your mother did to me. So I suggest you keep that little mouth of yours quiet or the only way you will be spreading love and compassion is via a piece of paper. Besides you and I both know you are not a virgin. Like mother like daughter I suppose.' I whispered venomously before pulling myself off her and dusting myself off, leaving the minor goddess on the floor in shock.

'Diana enough! You have until the New Year to sort this mess out or I will do it for you.' Percy said coldly and I noticed he was beginning to look a little pale and his breath was heavier than normal.

'Reyna explain to them everything, you are now in command of this city and the Legion for the time being.' I told her causing her to pale before she slowly nodded her head.

'Yes Milady.' She said hesitantly before saluting which was not strictly necessary considering she was a hunter, but whatever floated her boat I guess.

'Don't worry I am sure you will have lots of help... Won't she!' I said aggressively looking at the four gods who nervously nodded.

'Now if you don't mind I have a few 'personal' issues to take care of before I get back.' Percy told them before walking over to his still unconscious counterpart and grabbing him by the sleeve and the pair vanished into the shadows. As he did so the Senators regained the ability to move and most immediately noticed the Titan's disappearance.

'After we leave here there is something I need to do alone, you go help Seaweed Brain.' Artemis said to me and I guessed what she was up to. If I was right Percy would not be too pleased but I could not blame her. Besides Seaweed Brain did not need to find out what she was going to do.

However before I left there was the minor fact Percy had decided to leave his toys all over the place and being one of only two people who could pick them up. I guess it fell to me to clean up after him. Something he better not get used to, besides I wanted to see Perseus's face when I walked in holding Maelstrom.

(Percy)

As I re-emerged at my destination the only thing I could do was release my grasp of Perseus before practically collapsing against the nearest tree and sliding down it. My breathing coming heavy and fast for a while.

Between Perseus's antics, our forced separation and then putting it alright it had rather taken it out of me. It was good to know I did actually have limits to what I could do.

'I know you are awake, so stop pretending.' I told the prone figure as his eyes snapped open. I had been aware the last few minutes he was conscious when his hand had moved a few times while I was chewing out the 'six'. That was something I had not wanted to do but they needed the proverbial kick up the ass to get them to do something about it.

'So what happened to I could do as I pleased?' Perseus asked sitting up and turning to look at me before rubbing his jaw.

'The part where you turned it into a scene from a Saw movie. If you had just killed him we would not be having this conversation instead you decided to make a horror movie scene out of it.'

'Yeah because that kid was totally not deserving of what he got. He shot you in the head remember.'

'And you left him with nothing but a head.' I said sarcastically.

'I was getting to that next before you interrupted. How did you pull that off anyway?' He asked curiously.

'Hell if I know, I was just getting pissed off with your showboating and you were not listening to me telling you to end it already.'

'Would you really have done it?' He said drawing a finger across his throat.

'To protect the girls from you... Yeah I would.' I conceded honestly. If it was not for Diana and Artemis we would probably not be having this conversation.

'I thought so, say what you want about what I did to that kid but no one else was in any danger from me. Except maybe Piper for a second perhaps.'

'That may be true but with you I cannot take that risk, I know that better than anyone. We both know there is no one that could stop either of us. Even unarmed you could still kill every mortal in that room without lifting a finger.'

'You however look as if you would keel over just doing that; bite off more than you could chew trying to control that many people?' He said smugly causing me to narrow my eyes. However before I could respond our peaceful little chat was interrupted.

'Well then which of you would like to start talking first?' Diana said smiling evilly as she leant Maelstrom against her shoulder and looked between the pair of us.

(Steven)

'I am not letting that smug traitorous bastard get away with this!' I thought to myself as I continued to limp my way through the outskirts of the city. This insult would not stand, first that little bitch comes back after hiding up the huntress's skirt and then 'he' of all people turns up and swaggers in like he owns the place. And to top it all off my own father sided with them, I saw the way he looked upon recognising the traitor, he was nothing but a coward just like the 'so called' senators.

This is my city, I had invested so much in getting it that way and I was not losing it.

Besides there was no way they could get to the Legion first, all I had to do was get back and explain that the senate betrayed me and they would do as I told them none the wiser. Sure it was a shame killing some of my 'allies' but they had shown where there allegiances really were. Besides when all was said and done there would be no one who could argue.

'See how much that bastard smiles when I have an army at my back.' I thought with a pained grin as I finally passed the territorial limits of the city and began to cross the field of Mars. Just a few hundred more feet and the sentries would surely see me.

However once again I found myself falling to the floor as my left leg gave out on me. I don't know what trick the traitor pulled earlier to make me think it was all real but it still had not worn off fully. Several times I had had to catch myself from sliding along the street.

However as I went to pick myself up I accidentally caught something which only increased the pain immeasurably causing me to curl in pain, holding my knees to my chest involuntarily. As I fought back the urge to scream I noticed the culprit through pained eyes. A single golden arrow shaft was imbedded in the side of my thigh.

Ignoring the pain I slowly looked around for the culprit before slowly catching sight of a lone figure on a rooftop unmistakeably holding a bow before jumping three stories to the floor without breaking stride. Of course, things were never that easy I had forgotten about her.

No I could still do this, that miserable goddess was not going to be the end of me. I thought as I desperately tried to crawl towards the camp. My legs were completely unresponsive clearly the arrow was coated in some sort of paralytic poison.

As I slowly crawled away I couldn't help but glance back and find the auburn goddess only a dozen metres away and closing with slow steps.

Gritting my teeth and putting my head down I grasped forward again, only to find my hand hitting something soft and furry rather than grass and soil as before. Confused by the change I risked looking upwards and found myself confronted by a small golden kitten who was regarding me with large sea-green eyes. Before I could move my hand to brush the creature away I found it pinned to the soil by another shaft through the wrist causing me to cry out.

'Did you really think I would let you get away with this?' A woman's voice said coldly from behind my back before I found myself kicked onto my back and looking directly into those cruel silver eyes.

'So the traitor is to much a coward to do his own dirty work?' I said laughing defiantly at the stoic goddess.

'No but the killing of beasts is one of my domains. We may share it but unlike him I actually take pleasure in it.' I had no idea what she meant by sharing but I figured she was not likely to explain.

'You cannot kill me the ancient laws forbid it, no matter how much you want to.' I said still laughing ignoring the pain. Only to stop when the goddess began to grin like she had just heard some joke.

'How can you be such a fool? The moment you threatened Reyna your life was forfeit, I can do as I please to protect my hunters, second who exactly would want to go to all the trouble in wasting time for punishing me for killing you of all people. Even your father wants you dead boy.' She explained with a snort of amusement. 'But even despite all that you signed your own death warrant when you tried to kill my husband.' She added coldly looking me in the eyes.

So that was how the traitor had managed to survive all this time, he had managed to seduce the goddess of maidens. As much as I hated the guy I had to give him credit for that feat at least. If what she said was true, well I had been digging my own grave all week in regards to my comments about him. Then again he had been there as well pretending to be a huntress.

'Besides why bother myself with all the formalities when you can just disappear without a trace due to a monster attack. Give my regards to Octavian, maybe you can both burn in hades, together forever.' The goddess said with finality nodding towards something nearby as I found a shadow appearing over me.

One that unmistakeably belonged to the same creature that had brought my escape to a stop, only several magnitudes larger.

'You have got to be kidding me.' I said wearily as the jaws opened and I looked into the abyss.

(Artemis)

With one bite the Praetor was no more, everything above his waist was removed as Nemea closed her mouth the truncated section falling to the ground along with a forearm that was caught outside her mouth. Even so that did not stop blood from pumping out of the corpse over the paws and chest of the lioness. Though she did not seem to care, this was likely far from the first human or demigod she had devoured. True she was technically a sacred animal now rather than a monster but it takes more than a coat and claws to teach an old cat some new tricks.

As she continued to chew on her 'manwich' I took the time to remove the golden shaft from his leg. The idiot was likely going to give her indigestion already there was no need to add to the problem. Besides I only had a limited supply of those and he was not worth wasting it on. She had already eaten the simple wooden shaft I had shot into his wrist but I was not exactly worried about that.

Of course this being Nemea it did not take her long to finish her initial mouthful before tearing apart the lower half between her paws and jaws. Within three minutes all that remained of the foolish Praetor was a bloodstain on the grass and a foul taste in the mouth.

'Good girl.' I said softly into the lioness ear as I stroked her head while she went about cleaning her paws of the carrion.

'I mean it though you are going on a diet after this, who knows what crap was in that and we all know who finished the Christmas meal.' I said playfully watching in amusement as the felines head span round at the word diet. The cute cat eyes don't work when the cat in question is the size of a battle tank and half covered in human blood.

'Nice try but finish up here and get back to the house, I need to go beat the crap out of your master.' I told her playfully stroking her muzzle before looking at the blood stained grass one final time.

'As a demigod and a Praetor you were nothing but an arrogant little shit, now you're nothing but cat shit.' I said full of contempt before considering what came next and intertwining and clicking my fingers while smiling.

Oh how much I have waited for this all week.

AN. Hurray the little shit is finally dead. And Perseus has his own body and all the problems that is going to bring him.

Congratulation to everyone who got the Black Knight joke from Monty Python and the Holy Grail from the last chapters title.

Hope you all had a Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year and I will see you all in 2015 where hopefully the kids will finally turn up.

I hope.

Please leave any suggestion or comments in the little box below. I really appreciate them. Appreciation = Motivation.

Now if you will excuse me I need to go prepare to spend the night drinking heavily.