The Roman Avenger (Percy Jackson)

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter 22

When Nico and Percy arrived back at camp they knew they had made it just in time. The legion was assembling on the door steps of the camp, preparing to leave the retired legion to defend the camp. Percy saw Jason in the front trying to ease the transition forward.

It didn't take long before Nico saw his favorite daughter of Athena, but before he could shadow travel Percy gripped him hard, "Be careful with your choices little brother. I know she knew that you were going to dip in the Styx, but as far as we know, no one else does. The longer we can keep that secret, the better off we will be. Fight like you are still vulnerable, we may need a last trick to take down the son of Darunia."

Nico nodded his head sadly, "Of course Percy. We only need to rescue our sister today and then we can prepare to fight for Olympus."

Percy grinned slugging his brother in the shoulder, "A Demigods life never ends!"

With that Percy shadow traveled to the front of the troop movement. The legion went up in cheers at the site of him. Even Nico got pounded on the back by cohort one when he appeared beside Reyna. Percy barked out, "Legionairres, I do believe it is time we make our way to the black fortress a little quicker."

Some people looked disappointed that Percy was going to make them exert themselves even more, but the Praetor of Rome just smiled, "So I have brought a few friends to make our journey go a little faster."

With that Percy swiped the Lyre and Caduces pendent on his necklace and suddenly his two patrons were at his side. Percy bowed to the two Olympians, "Lord Mercury, Lord Apollo, we are in need of transportation to the Black Fortress."

Mercury grinned, "Well your lucky that I just so happen to be the God of Transportation. Everyone hold on tight, I will do us all one better."

A bright golden light took to the field and suddenly the entire legion was in a large garden. The occupants of the garden were only before they arrived, and the man stood in the shadows as if he barely had a care in the world. Percy stepped forward to greet the man, "Father, I see you have disposed of Ladon for us."

Pluto shrugged, "I figured I would stretch my muscles before you got here."

Percy looked dead ahead to see the entrance to the black fortress. He was surprised no force had been sent to meet them, he thought the garden of Hespiredes would be a perfect battlefield.

The Praetor of the twelfth legion turned to face his people, "Centurions, Legionairres, we stand today on the front door step of the Titan army. We face many threats inside this stronghold. Atlas has been freed of his burden, the son of Darunia is likely within our midst. We do not know every threat that is inside, but I do know that anything we face...will be destroyed. The time for mercy has passed. If an enemy of any kind crosses you, show them the mercy that Rome has showed all its enemies for a thousand years."

The men and women of the twelfth roared in approval as Percy continued, "I have two goals here today, but for the legion I only have one. My first goal is to save my sister, the second goal is to leave a path of destruction that Saturn will feel from the very depth of Tartarus. I plan to shove every Titan I come across right back into the Pit. Who will stand with me, and show the Titan army why Rome still stands?!"

The legion slammed their swords onto their shields in appreciation to Percy's speech. The dark eyed boy turned to the Lord of the Underworld, "Are you ready to fight by my side, my Lord?"

Pluto nodded and his sword shot up from the ground into his hands, "I have waited for this moment, for many years."

Jason roared to the legion, "Twelfth legion to our Praetor!"