Praetor's legacy

Chapter 19

Percy was making his way to breakfast, casually strolling along, trying to ignore all of the stares following him. He didn't know why people were still staring at him weird, maybe they weren't used to him being back to normal? But he tried to smile at all of them, showing them that he was friendly.

Until he heard the words they were whispering. Small wisps of conversation floated on the wind back to him. Percy and Piper. Secret dating? Reyna. How long have they been dating?

His mind went blank in shock. Him and Piper? They were definitely not dating, so why all the rumors about them? Who started spreading all of the lies? He was getting to the bottom of this.

"Thalia!" Finally, someone who will tell it to him like it is.

She glared at him. "Is it true? About you and Piper?"

His jaw dropped. "How could you even think that those rumors are true? Well this is just perfect... I always thought you'd have my back Thalia. I never pegged you for someone who believed stupid rumors. I have to go."

He speed walked away. He had to find Piper and get to the bottom of this.

"Why would people think we're dating?" Piper asked in disbelief.

"I have no clue, Pipes! But it's what everyone is talking about in camp right now. I'm getting sick and tired of liars trying to boost their popularity," Percy fumed.

"But who would do something like that?" Piper asked.

"Maybe someone who has it out for us? Or someone that just wanted more popularity? I have no clue!"

Piper shook her head in confusion. "Who do we know that sounds like that, though?"

They stared at each other in shock. "Jason and Annabeth," they breathed.

Piper stormed up to Jason, clenching her fists so that she didn't punch him straight in the nose. "What in Aphrodite's name is wrong with you? Spreading lies and rumors about me and Percy? You've reached your all-time low, Grace. And you better back off."

The confrontation had gotten the attention of some confused campers. They stared outright, following the fight like a tennis match.

Jason feigned innocence. "I have no clue what you're talking about Piper. Why would I spread rumors about you and Percy, of all people?"

"Because you're jealous that Percy's better at you! He's better than you at everything he does! Leading, dating, everything! And you're mad because he had Annabeth first, and Reyna is the mother of his child, and both of them love him more than they'll ever love you!"

Jason shoved her backwards, into the Demeter cabin's garden.

The campers gasped. Some went to stand in front of Piper protectively. It looked like Jason was about to blow, and when he did, they knew who he was going to go after.

A low, male voice flowing with anger screamed, "Don't you dare touch her!"

Everyone's head whipped around to the sight of Percy riding a hurricane, hurtling straight towards Jason. They also saw Annabeth, chasing after the hurricane panting.

Percy stood in front of the campers who were trying to protect Piper. "What is wrong with you Jason? You've hated me since the moment we met!"

Jason had a sharp bark of laughter, dry with no humor. "Of course I hate you Jackson! You took everything that belonged to me! I'm supposed to be the praetor of the 12th Legion, and you took my title in 2 weeks! All of a sudden, Reyna didn't want me. And Piper started hanging out with you. But I got you back in the end. I stole the only girl you had ever loved. I took Annabeth. I wanted to break you, I wanted to hurt you so badly that you wouldn't be able to even lead a few campers after one easy monster. And I did, for a while. But then you recovered. I needed something else to hurt you. Something that would make all of the campers doubt you. A relationship with a girl who wasn't the mother of your child. Piper."

Annabeth let one single tear fall down her red cheeks before she ran up and stood by Percy. "Jason, stop. You aren't right in the head. You need to calm down before you really hurt somebody."

"Calm down? I DON'T NEED TO CALM DOWN! Annabeth, why don't you just leave. Go back to your cabin and read a book or something. I don't need you here!"

Annabeth's face hardened into a mask of anger. "I'm not here for you. I'm here to support my former best friend, Percy. He did nothing wrong. I was in the wrong. I let you change me Jason! I let you turn me into someone that I'm not!"

"I was the best thing that ever happened to you," growled Jason.

"You were the worst thing I've ever had to face. I think it's time for you to go. Return to California maybe? You need to gain control of your mind. You're obviously not right in the head."

He took a step back. "You don't mean that. You love me. You chose me over Percy."

Annabeth shook her head. "I never loved you, I just thought I did. Now go Jason, and don't come back until you're better. Return to your former home, and if you're feeling better in two weeks and you think you can control yourself, then you can come with us to face Gaea."

Jason clenched his teeth. "You'll regret this. ALL OF YOU!" Jason flew into the air, using the wind currents to lift him higher and higher.

When he disappeared high into the sky, the entire camp let out a breath of relief.

But suddenly, a huge streak of lightning burst from the heavens. It's target was found.

Smoke came off of Percy's skin. He was laying on the ground and an awkward angle, his eyes shut. He could have been sleeping.

Everyone was too shocked to do anything. The Hero of Olympus was just struck by a high voltage of lightning.

Annabeth let out a large scream. This snapped everyone back to reality.

Some were sobbing, others were just staring. Chiron and Clarisse were quickly trying to carry Percy to the infirmary, a small procession of campers following them.

But a baby's cry was the loudest cry of all.

Because all the way across the country, watching through an Iris Message, an unsuspecting, young baby and the child's mother just witnessed the attempted murder of the child's father.