Track 6: Senate

Piper stared at Annabeth worriedly as she sat down next to her. This was the second senate meeting after Percy died and because the seven said they would go to important senate meeting to give advice on the current conflict, the daughter of wisdom felt obliged to go despite everyone saying they would understand if she declined but as always, her mind won over emotion. Weights of uneasiness fell on Piper, after what happened in Sparta she hoped Annabeth would let her logical side down when the time came but since Percy pass on, she has done everything by the book. She has never been this bad, tweaking the rules for her benefit like going with Percy to retrieve the golden fleece.

Was Annabeth ready for this? Piper knew the heart needs time to heal, today could be like a pendulum, swinging between making Annabeth worse or better. She was certain she would be there every minute of the meeting for her. Piper generally didn't speak during controversial issues since many felt she was charm speaking them – every time this was raised she felt insulted. She was not Drew. The first time this happened and Jason was in the infirmary for another head injury, Percy tore everyone down who judged her. Looking like imbeciles. Relish flowed through her veins in them not attending the next several meetings, claiming they were ill. She glared disapprovingly at the usual senators who vetoed any semi-good idea as they tried to find a mediocre reason to deny Percy request. This caused an argument breaking out. Neither side moving an inch until Annabeth stood up and did a terrifying enough before launching into an emotion filled tirade.

Reyna, watched Annabeth, stood up from her seat, glaring at everyone. She listened to the passionate speech from the grieving demigod. No one said a word, everyone was in a trance of despair and shame. Annabeth was right their feelings aside, no one could dispute Percy was a hero and should listen to what he said. He did recover their lost eagle and was a praetor – despite only one day. He deserved the respect for what he had achieved. Sure, some of them were hostile since he was still a Graecus but they could not decline his achievements for the world.

Jason watched as Reyna now stood as Annabeth sat back down. She asked a child of Apollo who was called Michael to make sure everyone could hear what Percy said then ordering, "we have voted on this matter and majority overruled. We listen to what he recorded without anyone speaking until after where we shall discuss everything peacefully. This includes but not limited to, insults, threats, and assassinations. We have lasted a month since the last attempt of murder. The longest in 5 years. Those who do break the conditions shall receive the worst punishments I and your fellow Praetor can come up with. Anyone who does not agree to these terms. Please exit and return to your duties."

No one left.

"Salve; I am speaking in front of the senate to address issues I believe I may not have brought to attention before I died. I'm sure some of you are thinking why didn't I bring these before? I was busy, okay? Saving the world. I didn't have time to play politics. Which brings me to the first problem. Slow the Styx down on decisions for quests. Don't be harsh on legionaries, especially those you pick for the quests. You all should be trying to help them the best you can. However, you don't and give them minimal aid, I remember hearing once you made a quest group take no weapons! Then you punished the group for succeeding the quest because a retired legionnaire gave one of them a weapon he created. What sadistic imbecile convinced you I wonder? I know; Octavian. I'll go into more detail about Octavian later. For now, I want to tell you why you should give full support to any quest groups. Honour. That is what most the senate most care about right? Along with keeping the 12th legion legacy going on, right? Ordered by the mighty and just ruler Jupiter? Well, how do you expect to survive if you give the lowest chance to the people you choose or the gods themselves? You might remember Frank, Hazel and I went on a quest ordered by Mars. Your second highest regarded god. We not only managed to survive but also save you from being massacred. I killed Polybotes with my bare hands. Jason shush the second time doesn't count.

Jason smiled sadly as he remembered the fight. How he rescued Percy because he didn't want to lose control. He also remembered the conversation afterward. Jason never understood the son of Poseidon before. They truly became brothers that day. Many people were given him questioning looks. He used the same expression as he did when he became Praetor when he noticed. Giving no hint to what happen.

"I am not saying that you need to go out of your way to help. You should however just be more considerate of what is needed for the quest. I know Lupa teaches us to be as strong as possible and not bother about the weak. However, we are meant to be like a pack, which means we support each over. What does Lupa think now? Has she visited this camp for decades? No. She talks to us through dreams. Very rarely in fact. She used to visit monthly but no longer."

Frank winced as he reminded the senate how their teacher has not visited, because they no longer work as a pack. Each Praetor tries to be the alpha but the fact they are never enough to get her back through the borders was a disappointment they all shared. He watched as the Lares were getting feisty with anger. He hoped they wouldn't become poltergeist because of Percy. Nico intervened before he could worry. Peace restored.

"Now onto my second biggest problem. Octavian. He played you all as puppets. How did he ever get power beyond the usual augur? I mean I thought the senate was to stop this happening. Why there is no emperor. Say what you want but he became your king. I'm not even going to question your wisest choice of teaming up with random monsters on your campaign for Camp Half -Blood."

Many senators winced, sure they question Octavian methods but Apollo blessed him what could they do? The consequences of going against a blessed legionnaire is unthinkable to most as there was minimum interaction from their ancestors.

"Now don't get me wrong. Some of the decisions you choose can be right. Such as having a city for older demigods and legacies. I never imagined such a paradise was possible. I have also done some very stupid decisions. One which probably led to you hearing this recording."

The hall bowed their heads at what he said.

"I was only a Praetor for the shortest time but what I saw was amazing. The Romans can be truly invincible. You have proved you are the only legacy for Rome. Yet I think you have fallen into the same traps as they once did. Don't let this be the end of a great legacy. Work together with the Greeks, they have some great guidance such as Chiron and Annabeth. I know bias at its worst but trust me, she will think of a solution for any problem. I'm surprised I didn't need her as I started to walk as a wee bairn! One tiny reason I love her. I bet she has already settled you once already in this meeting.

Everyone looked at the Greeks specifically at Annabeth, she was silent as an owl. Her eyes only showing the conflict. Yet only two people would know what she felt. One was in the hunt. The other dead. The winding down of the recording brought their attention back.

"I should finish this off as I'm sure you need to talk about other business. I hope I got to attend the college here and that my career plan was on its way. I wanted to help young and old demigods, legacies, and anything in between. I hope, someone in this building will realize, the power is out there where the hundreds of people who trust in you are. Don't lose their trust, more importantly, their hope. Hope is the start of everything. No hope is the end, it's been a pleasure serving New Rome. Ave demigods. Ave legacies."

"Please give this to Dakota, as he is next in line."

No one said a word, thinking of what he said, but one person walked out of the building with dignity, needing to escape and think of the future she could have had.

Hello, it's been a while. So much has changed, I'm out of school. Now in college studying child health and social care. There's been a new series of PJO universe released with the second book coming soon. I hope this chapter is okay. I have not written a chapter in months so I may be a little rusty. I make no promises to when I will update next but I hope to keep this going.

I really liked this chapter on the idea of it alone, Percy I feel would have torn the senate to shreds multiple of times. How could he resist one last time? Also, it gave me the chance to hint how characters are doing! Especially Annabeth!

Please tell what you think of this chapter? I really want to know what you all think. I want to improve my writing and to know if I am doing any mistakes.

I was hoping people would make suggestions who they would like to see? Next is Dakota but after that, I have too many ideas for characters, to decide on. Please note, Annabeth will be last. I would like to keep it to his friends now before going onto immortals. There is no strict structure.

I can't believe the amount of people who have reviewed, followed, and favoured! Thank you to everyone! Sorry for the long wait!

I would also like to mention that, I am not the greatest with grammar and structures. One of my biggest issues in English last year. Anyone who would like to be a beta to this story, I would be immensely grateful to have someone to help me. Please PM me, if you're interested. I do plan to one day work on the previous chapters because of the mistakes but that is a long term plan