A/N New chapter! I've got about 5 more chapters till the end of the first part of this story, at which point I'll have to decide on whether or not to split it up. Until then, I'm definitely procrastinating on deciding, though if the poll gets more than one vote, I'll go with that.
Shout out to AsunaLushieChase for this chapter! I'm really glad you're enjoying this story; it's always good to hear what seems good on my end is enjoyed by others.
Finally, for those looking for other good PJO works to read, I would recommend heading over to CombatTombat. They do really well with their writing, and I've enjoyed all of their stories. Hope you all have a great week!
Rights belong to RR; unfortunately, I'm not making money off of this.
9 - Annabeth
Annabeth had to admit, the Romans knew their architecture. She admired the view from above New Rome as she trailed behind Percy, Blackjack and Guido slowly circling down to land. It had been a while since they had visited, and Blackjack always jumped at the opportunity to fly cross country. It was certainly faster that driving the distance, and Annabeth was a little less worried about the two of them getting blasted out of the sky with Percy's newfound control over wind and electricity. He had been practicing summoning full blown storms lately, and Annabeth was proud to say he had the foresight to do so out in the middle of the ocean instead of in camp. The other campers at Camp Half-Blood still hadn't noticed Percy's newer powers somehow, and Annabeth was glad to avoid the extra scrutiny as long as possible. They had enough of a fan club as it was.
"Ave, Praetor!" a legionnaire called out as they landed. Percy waved back and dismounted Blackjack. Annabeth followed suite, giving Guido a pat before the pegasi took off.
"I have no idea who that was," Percy whispered to her as they started towards the city. Annabeth snorted in amusement.
"Why does that not surprise me?" she asked, chuckling at Percy's put off expression. "Oh, you're fine. There's way more demigods here than at our Camp, even with people starting to live in New Athens." They walked hand in hand down the path, returning the greetings of the people they passed and just enjoying the stroll. As they got to the Pomerian Line, Percy sighed.
"Ah, Perseus, you are finally back! And you have brought the Athenian with you," Terminus announced to no one. Annabeth felt her grin fall away at the tone of the god, and she felt Percy's hand tend in her own.
"Hey, Terminus," Percy replied, his tone heavy with resignation.
"Percy!" a young girl's voice called excitedly. Percy's face lit up and he turned in time to catch Julia as she tackled him, the nine year old bouncing with energy.
"Hey there, kiddo!" Percy grinned and set the legacy down as she wriggled out of his grip. "How are you?"
"I'm great!" she answered, smiling at Annabeth. "Hiya, Beth!"
"Hello, Julia," Annabeth replied. Julia was one of the few people who got away with the nickname. As Annabeth watched the interaction between the young girl and Percy, she once again found herself fantasizing about how good of a dad Percy would be. She shook her head as she realized where her daydreams were headed and grumbled to herself about Aphrodite's meddling with her thoughts.
"I do not have all day, Jackson," Terminus finally snapped. Percy and Julia jumped and turned to the god in a flash. "Are you coming in or not?"
"Yeah, we're visiting Frank and Hazel today," Percy said. He held him arms out to the side dramatically. "Do your search thing. You won't find anything but Riptide." Terminus stared at him intensely for a moment before nodding sharply.
"You are still a mess and are breaking a litany of regulations, Jackson, but you tell the truth," the god grumbled. "Julia, if you would confiscate his weapon."
"Yeah, yeah," the girl grumbled. She stood stock straight as Terminus turned his glare to her. "I mean, yes sir!" Percy gave her a soft smile as he handed over the pen, Julia grinning back at him as she took it. She turned to Annabeth next, watching in annoyance as Terminus stared the daughter of Athena down.
"You are clear as well, Athenian," Terminus stated flatly. "You are free to enter, but damage a single brick and I will smite you where you stand!"
Are you even trying to hide your disgust? Annabeth thought to herself, hiding her irritation under an expressionless mask. She nodded at the statue and said goodbye to Julia as Percy retook her hand and walked with her into New Rome. Once they were far enough away, Percy looked at her, concerned.
"You okay?" he asked quietly. Annabeth sighed deeply.
"I've heard worse," she replied. Percy's eyes narrowed at the avoidance of the question but didn't press the issue.
"Did you actually not bring a weapon?" he asked after a moment. "You're usually more prepared than that."
"Well, I have you," she started, grinning at her fiancé, "but I do have the knife Sadie gave me. The whole mixed magic thing probably blocked whatever detection method Boundary Boy usually uses." Percy snorted at the nickname but nodded in understanding.
The coupled continued their conversation as they meandered down the streets of New Rome. A few demigods and townspeople waved hi as they passed, and one particularly insistent legionnaire got them both muffins at a bakery. Annabeth brushed her hands of the crumbs as they entered the military district, looking to Percy as he glanced around.
"There's usually more officers around," Percy explained as she gave him a questioning look. "But there's not any emergency flags up, so there's probably some event down on the Field."
"Let's head that way, then," Annabeth replied. "If we run into someone along the way, we can double check with them."
"Sounds like a plan!" Percy spun around dramatically. Annabeth rolled her eyes but followed him as he started back towards the Field of Mars. They passed by Terminus without talking to him, much to the god's indignation, and continued on towards the Field of Mars. As they drew near, they saw a crowd of demigods on the edge of the Field watching as a smaller number skirmished. A legionnaire on the edge noticed them as they drew near and waved them over.
"What event is this?" Percy asked after they greeted the roman.
"Cohort Siege," the demigod answered. "Just like the bigger version, but either single cohort teams, or one cohort divided against itself." Percy nodded, and he and Annabeth watched as the remaining attacking players were wiped out by a water cannon.
"That marks three victories in a row for the Fifth Cohort!" Reyna's voice carries across the battlefield. Annabeth looks up to see her on a brilliant white Pegasus. She frowns, confused, and nudges Percy.
"When did she get a new Pegasus?" she asked quietly. Percy glances at her before turning back to the games.
"Pegasus named her Horse Friend near the end of the Gigantomachy for her treatment of Scipio," he explained. "Now local pegasi offer to help her all the time. That particular one just told me that he's visiting for the games and hopes to see me crush my competition should I compete."
"Naturally," Annabeth replied amusedly. They watched as medics helped the few injured players off the Field, the defeated Cohort slinking off to the sidelines. Percy surreptitiously dried off the few that acknowledged him as they joined the crowd before Reyna landed in front of them. An eagle swooped down next to her and transformed back into Frank himself.
"Welcome back to Rome, Percy, Annabeth," Reyna greeted them calmly.
"Hey guys!" Frank crushed the two of them in a hug. "We haven't seen you guys in forever!" Annabeth laughed as Percy pretended to catch his breath after Frank released them. Reyna raised an eyebrow at their antics but said nothing.
"Well, we have been rather busy," Annabeth explained. "Between expanding New Athens and planning a wedding, we've had a lot on our plates."
"Congratulations again on that count." Reyna smiled softly at her and Annabeth nodded her head in appreciation.
"Hazel will want to catch up with you, too, after she's done wiping the Field with the other Cohorts." Frank looked fondly towards the fort. "Not that I'm biased."
"Sure you aren't," Percy muttered. Reyna's pegasus nudged him insistently.
"What does he want of you?" Reyna asked, stroking the steed's mane lightly. Percy flushed slightly.
"Well, mostly to watch me take down the fort," he answered.
"And the part that's not the most?" Frank asked, curious.
"Uh, how many children Annabeth and I plan on having so that they can start competing to see who gets to be their dedicated pegasi." Annabeth matched Percy's bright red blush as Frank burst out laughing. Even Reyna had an amused smile.
"I cannot help the latter, but if you wish to compete you are more than welcome," Reyna said smoothly. Annabeth cursed mentally as she lost control of her blush again, swearing to herself to make Frank miserable later for laughing so hard. Then she had a better idea.
"Why don't you compete, Percy?" Annabeth asked innocently. Frank gave her a questioning look and Percy raised an eyebrow at her tone.
"I love that tone; that's an 'I'm planning something' tone." Percy grinned fiendishly as the praetors exchanged a concerned look. Annabeth smirked.
"Then you'll love this one," she replied. "How are you feeling today, combatively?"
Percy rolled his shoulders, cracked his neck by jerking his head violently to the side, and flexed his fingers. His aura briefly flared, and Annabeth gave a toothy grin at the flinch both of their Roman friends gave. "Pretty dam good. I assume you want the graecus to show off?"
"You know me so well." Annabeth turned back to Reyna. "Is the whole Fifth currently on defense?"
"Yes," Reyna answered. "We could split them up between defense and offense for an even-"
"No need," Annabeth interrupted. "Big enough challenge for you, love, or should they add the Fourth in as well?"
"I'd hate to bruise that many egos. The Fifth will be challenge enough." Percy let a predatory smile grow across his face, and Annabeth almost felt bad for the Fifth. Almost. Frank shuddered at their expressions and Annabeth noticed even Reyna paled a little bit. Percy strutted out to the Field as Annabeth moved to the front of the crowd, Reyna and Frank taking back to the sky.
"For the next match:" Reyna announced from the back of the pegasus, "The Fifth will defend against Perseus Jackson!" The crowd murmured, most confused, some nervously. The older legionnaires knew how deadly Annabeth's fiancé could be. The younger ones were about to find out.
"Begin!" As Reyna's voice rang over the Field, the ballistae on top of the fort swiveled towards Percy. He merely stood in a ready position, arms hanging loosely at his sides. At some unseen command, the defenders fired, dozens of bolts screaming towards the demigod.
Percy raised his hand before the bolts reached him and Annabeth felt the air currents tense before a huge rush of wind blew past, knocking the bolts off course. The crowd watched in stunned silence as the fort fired again to the same effect, Percy's lazy wave belying the power with which he controlled the winds. Apparently deciding he was bored on defense, he started walking calmly towards the wall. The water cannons exploded, washing defenders off the wall and destroying the ballistae before they could fire another round. The ground started to shake and many in the crowd watching struggled to keep their balance. Annabeth looked on amused as the ground at her feet stayed steady amidst the earthquake.
As Percy reached the wall, it crumbled, bricks raining down in pieces and a huge plume of dust rising into the air. He calmly continued walking through the gap he created and the crowd lost sight of him, the occasional explosions of dust and shards of stone marking his progress through the fort. There was a pause in the action before the northeast tower erupted. The crowd watched in awe as it crumbled to the ground, revealing a dome of water. As the debris settled, the water dissipated, revealing most of the Fifth Cohort in varying states of disablement. Medics rushed onto the Field and started helping them out of the combat zone, many in the crowd helping to carry those that were unconscious.
After the Field was cleared, the rest of the fort crumbled to the ground, revealing Percy staring at a black box of stone with crossed arms. Annabeth recognized the material from her (far too many) trips to the Underworld and knew that Hazel must have summoned it to protect the flag. She recalled Nico summoning a similar wall back when they ran into Kronos in the Labyrinth and knew that most people wouldn't be able to break through the barrier.
Percy stared at the stone a moment longer before he walked up to it, reached out a hand, and flicked the wall. The ground around the wall shook violently and after a few seconds the wall collapsed. Hazel stood next to the flag drenched in sweat, looking at Percy with a mixture of shock and exhaustion. He grinned at her and beckoned to her. She drew her spatha and charged, Percy again not drawing his sword. As Hazel swung, Percy caught the blade in his hand, electricity crawling up his arm and discharging across the sword with a loud crack. Hazel flew backwards, and Percy calmly dropped her sword next to her and strode towards the flag. He hefted the banner onto his should, turned around, and walked all the way back to Annabeth.
"Good enough?" he asked when he rejoined her, plunking the flag next to him. Annabeth grinned when she noticed he looked like he hadn't even been through combat.
"Eh, you could have gone faster," she replied noncommittedly. Percy rolled his eyes and Annabeth chuckled before turning to Reyna as she landed next to the couple. The Athenian noticed that the crowd had moved away as Percy drew near, leaving a good few yards in between them and the legionnaires.
"Do I even need to announce the winner?" Reyna asked incredulously. Frank had landed near Hazel and was making sure she was okay. Reyna's pegasus whinnied loudly and lowered its head to Percy.
"No, don't do that! That's not- that wasn't the point of- fine, you know what? Do whatever you want, I won't stop you." Percy crossed his arms and turned his back to the flying horse, who continued to nudge his back. Reyna dismounted and left the steed to stand by Annabeth.
Annabeth gave her a soft smile when she noticed the nervous vibe the praetor was putting off. "Hey, we're your friends. That's the closest you'll ever see us get to actually fighting you, and he went way out of his way to ensure everyone stayed safe." Reyna nodded slowly.
"That's true, but you can't blame me for being cautious after that display." Reyna glanced at Percy. "And since when could he use Jason's powers?"
"Oh, a couple of months, now," Annabeth said breezily. "Son of the Stormbringer and all that, so we've been expanding his skill set."
"As if he wasn't already dangerous enough," Reyna muttered. "I'm surprised the gods haven't tried to intervene yet."
Annabeth snorted derisively. "As if they could stop him. He beat Ares when he was twelve with only a couple weeks of even knowing he was a demigod. Now?" She watched as Frank, supporting Hazel, came up to Percy, congratulating him on the battle and laughing at his arguing with the pegasus. "I honestly don't think any of them could stop him if they tried."
Reyna studied their friends for a moment as well before turning back to Annabeth with a serious expression. "I hope it never comes to it, but should you need Rome's help with anything, you'll have it," she murmured quietly. "As much as I hated you two for ruining my home on Circe's island, I owe everything I have now to you, and you have proved yourselves to be the champions of all demigods. Give us the word, and Rome will be behind you."
Annabeth looked at the praetor in surprise before smiling warmly. "We're honored to be held in such high esteem, though I hope it never comes to that." She motioned towards the fort. "Now, should I design you a new fort, or are you guys done for the day?" Reyna rolled her eyes and shook her head in resignation as Annabeth laughed.
"Would you stop?!" Percy yelled. The pegasus looked at him for a second before shaking its mane and trotting back to Reyna. Annabeth stroked its mane and smiled at it huffed at her fiancé.
"Stop arguing with the pegasus, Percy," she scolded him half-heartedly. Percy made a noise of protest but turned back to Frank and Hazel. She turned to Reyna as she continued petting the flying horse. "For the record, we are in this game for the other demigods. Off the record…" She looked intently at the other girl. "If you need our help defending against anything, we'll be there. We'll do whatever it takes to build the best life for those like us." Reyna gulped at the intensity of Annabeth's gaze and words and nodded solemnly. Annabeth pat the pegasus one last time before moving next to Percy.
"Ready to go?" Percy asked her warmly. She smiled up at him.
"With you? Always." She took his hand and waved to Reyna as the four former Argonauts headed off back towards New Rome.
