Percy Jackson son of Neptune

Lupa

AN: I do not own HoO or PJO all of which belong to Rick Riordan, long may he reign.
Chapter One
September 19th, 1999

The demigod standing in front of Lupa didn't look like much, but the raw, untapped power emanating from him was astounding, especially for a six-year old. Lupa cocked her head to the side. Yes, she thought, this one could be another Romulus, another Caesar. She just had to train him, teach him how to be a great leader. She sniffed the child, prowling around him, as her wolves watched on. His eyes rarely left hers, flicking only when another wolf moved, tracing the paths. He was different than Jason, her current protégé, but no less powerful. In fact, he may turn out to be more powerful, if she pushed him enough. But therein lied the problem.

Juno wanted her champion to lead Camp Jupiter, and eventually, New Rome. But how would he handle a cousin that was more powerful than him, serving in a subordinate role. More importantly, how would Perseus himself feel about that situation? It didn't matter, for if Jason was meant to lead the camp, he would do so, and if Perseus was to lead, then he would. The Fates worked in mysterious ways, and Lupa wouldn't be surprised if it went either way, or even both.

Drawing her attention back to the Son of Neptune, Lupa could smell the fear on him, though he schooled it well, his face blank and expressionless. She wondered if he learned how to do it because of his step-father, the one Lupa herself had ripped apart for putting his hands on the child. She rather suspected it to be true. Finally, after almost ten minutes of circling around him, she simply padded in front of him, and sat on her haunches.

"Perseus." She said to him, and his eyes widened in surprise in a flash, before narrowing. "Yes, I am speaking to you. We have much to discuss, child. Come, follow me, and I will tell you of your father, and perhaps we may decipher your role in the world."

Perseus watched her cautiously for a moment, before making to follow her. Lupa let out a wolfish grin. This was just the beginning of what could be her most interesting role since Romulus and Remus.

June 18th, 2007

Lupa watched from the shadows as Percy and Jason sparred, completely engaged in the fight. While the Son of Jupiter was a ferocious warrior, and there were few that could match him, Percy was more than his match. This was the third bout they were having, with Percy having won the previous two handily. Jason, her old protégé, was beginning to get frustrated, and it showed. His blows were becoming more powerful, yet also easier to predict, and therefore, avoid. It was shown when Jason lunged to skewer Percy, who simply pivoted on one foot, before smacking the blade away with his palm, and driving his foot behind Jason's knee, sending him tumbling down.

Lupa looked at the two Praetors watching the fight, the first an older son of Mars named Kyle Longfield, who looked frustrated at the beating Jason was receiving. The other Praetor was a daughter of Ceres, surprisingly, named Cassandra Moon, who preferred being called 'Cassie' by all that knew her. Cassie was watching the fight with interest, her eyes trained on Percy, who was waiting for Jason to rise to his feet again. Just after he rose, Jason thrust his hand out, and an arc of lightning shot from his fingers, striking Percy in the chest, sending him flying backwards. Kyle let out a sound of contentment, while Cassie remained silent.

Lupa growled silently, but did nothing else. If Jason wanted to bring powers into the mix, then it was his loss. Lupa remembered the raw power that Percy had when he was only six, unrefined as it was then. It was like a blade now, honed to sharpness, and able to kill if he wished so. Lupa felt a moment of pity for the Son of Jupiter.

Percy rose to his feet, using his blade to support him, before his foot went forward in a stomp. Kyle scoffed, but that changed when the arena began to shake, sending most tumbling to their feet, while the Praetors had to grip onto the dais to prevent from falling. Percy wasn't finished, however, and the air became thick as storm clouds began to form over their heads, a torrent of rain beginning to fall, moving towards the Son of Neptune and swirling around him.

Jason rose, his body sparking with lightning and charged, trying to close the gap between him and Percy. He couldn't get close enough, as jets of water kept slamming into him, dispersing across his body, but blinding him. Lupa watched with pride as Percy closed the distance, before slamming his shoulder into Jason's chest. The Son of Jupiter reached out and grabbed on to the Son of Neptune, sending both tumbling to the ground. Percy's fist was cocked back, ready to strike, but Lupa let out a loud growl, and he instantly rolled off Jason and backed up ten paces. Jason himself rose, his body language indicating he wasn't finished, but Lupa let out another growl, and he relaxed. Slightly.

She turned to the Praetors, who looked surprised with the outcome of the fight. Lupa assumed it was much closer than what they had expected. She felt a burst of pride in her at that. She had spent the past seven years training Percy, and loved him as if he was her own. She had staked her claim on her pup, and she would fight for it as well. Cassie was clearly impressed by the fact that Percy had lasted so long, while Kyle seemed frustrated by it.

Lupa hadn't focused on the internal politics of New Rome for several years, believing that the Senate could handle it. Clearly, she had been mistaken, because Kyle Longfield was exactly the kind of Praetor who would take advantage of his position. Lupa decided to watch him closely, and see what he was doing.

"I believe you have seen enough, yes?" Lupa asked. Praetor Cassie shook herself out of a stupor.

"Yes, Lady Lupa." Cassie said politely. "We will take this... Perseus? To the augury, in order to have him admitted as a probatio. Beyond that? It's up to him to prove his worth."

"Not that a Sea-Spawn would have any." Kyle muttered, and Lupa snapped her jaws sharply, causing the praetors to flinch.

"Are you saying that my judgment on Perseus' worth was impaired when I decided to train him for the past seven years, Praetor?" Lupa snarled. "His worth is not in question, Son of Mars, but I am beginning to question yours."

"I apologise, Lady Lupa." Kyle said, though she was almost certain he didn't truly mean it. "I did not mean to question you, or your decisions, but children of Neptune do not have the best reputation either in the Legion, or in New Rome."

She narrowed her eyes, but remained silent, instead turning to Cassie.

"We will take him to the augur. He will induct Perseus as a probatio and as I said, beyond that, it is up to him to prove his worth." Cassie reiterated.

Lupa nodded, her wolfish smile disturbing the praetors.

"That was all I asked for."

And Cut

AN: So, right off the bat, this is obviously an AU. I wanted to make the fight between Percy and Jason seem semi-realistic. Percy is canonically

super powerful, and training seven years with Lupa would most definitely have made him dangerous. In a straight up sword-fight, Percy will dominate most opponents, just because he's only ever known the godly challenge of learning under Lupa. His powers have been honed as well, as seen with the altercation with Jason. As to why he spent so long with Lupa, that will be explained at some point in the story. Not quite sure when, but it will be. Anyways, Percy is a Roman, has been raised as a Roman, and will continue to be a Roman without fail. Hope you all enjoy.

Cheers, CombatTombat