As Percy marched across New Rome, his heart tightened once he saw the state of the once glorious city that charmed him when he first saw it, still with no past memories on his head.
The devastation caused by the Emperors was enormous. Sure, many of the buldings have already been repaired, and New Rome's businesses were operating as usual for the most part, but there was clearly something wrong with the city. Percy had learned that so many had been killed that the remaining legionnaries and civilians could only fill up one building. The Roman spirit was truly broken after fighting a remnant of what they aspired to be, a legacy of the old Roman Republic and Empire. The old Romans were the ones that brought pain, destruction, and death to the new Romans. Percy had read enough to know that history repeats itself. Societies in crisis are always susceptible to changes, even if these changes were seen as radical previously. Germany, Italy and Russia after the Great War, France during the French Revolution, and many more. There was a pattern here, and Percy wanted to see if the Romans would accept such changes.
Of course, New Rome would be a challenge even for the most experienced revolutionaries. A society where the gods were not only firmly believed, but you know, appeared regularly to enforce their will, would be a tricky one to implements ideas that opposed these original thoughts. But he had to start from somewhere, and this would be what Jason wanted.
It wasn't long until Percy found Frank and Hazel, at a cafe. Now that they both were Praetors, they were able to spend a lot more time together, but it wasn't like this time was exactly rainbows and sunshines recently.
"Hey, guys."
The son of Mars and the daughter of Pluto turned to see him, smiling when they saw who was calling them. However, both of them had a tired look, with dark circles under their eyes.
"Hey, Percy." greeted Hazel, turning her attention to some papers.
"Are you two busy?" asked Percy.
"No, it's fine, we just sat down, we've been through a lot recently, I never thought that being a Praetor would be so tough."
Percy sat at their table, analyzing his friends' expressions. They both looked like they were on their limit. On one hand, Percy felt sorry for them, considering everything that they went through. He still remembered their mission to rescute Thanatos on Alaska, and how it molded Frank and Hazel so much that they went from shy and inexperienced demigods to strong leaders.
But on the other hand... It could be the best time to gain power.
"So, what's the problem?" Percy questioned, leaning forward.
"Usually managing Camp Jupiter would be just, you know, making sure the cohorts don't kill each other, managing the wargames. But after... what happened..." Hazel expression darkened when she remembered the Emperors' attack. "We've been working 24/7 as literal politicians. The Senate has never been this divided, it's been a lot." she explained, sighing at the end. Frank nodded.
"It's been really tough, for both of us. I wish Jason was here, he really knew how to make people listen and stop arguing."
"Or Reyna, for that matter. But I guess she just has so much more interesting things to worry about." Hazel said, and Percy noticed a bit of bitterness on her voice.
"Well, you know... I wanted to know if maybe I could help with this."
Frank took a sip from his coffee.
"What do you mean?"
"Recently I've been noticing how bad the situation is, it's impossible not to notice. And the chaos has prevented Camp Jupiter from doing anything, specially fulfilling our promise to Kymopoleia and the other minor gods."
Hazel at this moment widened her eyes, and facepalmed.
"Shit. I-I forgot about that. Like, totally."
"Same." Frank admitted.
Percy smiled on the inside.
"So... I've been wondering if perhaps I could... continue Jason's work."
Frank blinked twice.
"You mean... becoming Pontifex Maximus?"
"Bingo."
Hazel looked at her boyfriend, and then back at Percy.
"Not gonna lie, it really could work. Considering your reputation, it could perhaps be the glue that would unite the camp once more. But of course, we can't just grant you the position like that. We don't have the legal powers to do it."
"Neither you can pull an Octavian and declare that from now on you are Pontifex Maximus without anyone's consent." Frank said with a smile.
"No, no, never, I wouldn't do that." Percy replied with a laugh. "But what you can do is bring a motion to the Senate, just like with Jason."
Frank and Hazel shared looks, to see what the other thought about this. After some time, they appeared to have made a decision.
"Alright, we will do that in today's meeting. I wasn't looking forward to it, considering the dumpster fire that it has become recently, but it should be interesting today." the son of Mars stated.
"Indeed. We will be waiting for you. 3:00 PM. We will see you there."
"You will." Percy got up, and left the Praetors alone. He couldn't stop the grin that took over his face.
...
"THERE WILL BE ORDER!" Hazel yelled, banging a hammer into a table.
The Roman Senate was assembled, and it honestly resembled an elementary school more than anything. People were yelling at each other, in some instances even throwing objects at each other. No one could bring order, as much as Hazel and Frank wanted it.
Percy, however, was fascinated, and need to fight the smile that wanted to take over his lips. This was the type of chaos that could be exploited.
The son of Poseidon was right next to Frank and Hazel, who were trying to calm everyone's nerves, but they were being unsuccesful for the most part. Actually, they didn't manage to calm anybody, only to make themselves enraged by this situation.
Hazel suddenly turned to Percy.
"Uh... Percy, may you... shake, them?"
Percy smirked, and got up from his seat. Concentrating, he caused a small earthquake that shook the Senate House, quickly silencing everybody. He once again sat.
"Now, CAN WE BEGIN?!" Hazel once again yelled, and the senators all sat down at their places, but still glaring at each other. "Very well! Now, we have a lot of things to discuss, but I've decided that we should concentrate into something more important that could be the first step into solving our problems. Praetor Zhang, may you?" Hazel passed the word to Frank.
"Of course, Praetor Levesque. As all of you know, we've been lacking a Pontifex Maximus since the sudden death of Propreator Jason Grace." All of the senators looked uncomfortable hearing the name of the one that many considered the de facto leader of Camp Jupiter for many years.
"Praetor Zhang, isn't this the way that it has always been? Apart from recent months, there hasn't been a register of a Pontifex Maximus of the Twelfth Legion before." Hank, Centurion of the Third Cohort argued, and some senators nodded.
"That is a fair argument, Centurion Hank, however, since the attack of the Triumvirate on Camp Jupiter and New Rome, and the subsequent conflict," Frank made sure to emphasize the current divisions in the Senate. "Preator Levesque and I have come to the conclusion that we should find a replacement for Propraetor Grace.
"And who would be this replacement?" Lavinia Asimov of the Fifth Cohort questioned.
Hazel opened her mouth to answer, but before that could happen, there was a commotion in a corner of the Senate House. Percy saw that his old friend Nico di Angelo had appeared out of a shadow and was quickly running to his seat, earning glares from the other senators.
"I apologize for being late, I ran into some problems on my way to the meeting." Nico said, looking at Percy, who was now grinning at the son of Hades. Hazel sighed.
"Very well, ambassador Di Angelo. Your delay will be pardoned, after all I was the one that called you." Hazel said, a bit of anger in her tone. Percy saw Nico frown, he most likely did not know the current political situation at Camp Jupiter, but he wisely did not say anything else for now. "We were just starting our discussion about appointing a new Pontifex Maximus. And answering to this question, Centurion Asimov, our selected candidate would be Propraetor Percy Jackson."
Percy had imagined many situations about what would happen next. He could imagine the Senate falling into chaos again, or perhaps they would all cheer and whistle at Hazel's announcement. However, the senators simply kept silent. Percy decided to get up and speak.
"As Praetor Levesque has stated, I would like to continue Propraetor Grace's footsteps, continuing to honor the gods, Olympians and minor ones, and to assist Praetors Zhang and Levesque in the administration of Camp Jupiter and New Rome, which has become increasingly difficult in the last few months."
"And what could you offer for the people of Rome, Propreator Jackson?" Nico was the one that said this, and it surprised Percy. Nonetheless, the son of Hades had an amused look on his face.
"You see, ambassador Di Angelo, I served as Praetor of the Twelfth Legion, even if it was for a short time, I brought military glory to it, stopping Polybotes' army and achieving a truce and alliance with the Amazons that still persists to this very day. And after leading Camp Half-Blood to victory against Saturn and his army, I made the Olympians gods honor the minor gods, who felt betrayed by Olympus, which made many support the Titan Lord. My demands have resulted in the construction of cabins and temples for numerous deities at the Greek camp. This earned the loyalty of many of them in our war against the Earth Mother, including Hecate, patron of Praetor Levesque, who would be crucial to help closing the Doors of Death, which was a major step in winning the Second Gigantomachy."
Hazel nodded. "He speaks the truth."
"Jason had plans concerning the construction of temples for the minor gods here at Camp Jupiter, as promised to my half-sister, Kymopoleia, during our journey to Athens," continued Percy. "And since I did this once, I believe I can do it again. This would be the focus of my work, at least for the moment, but I would be glad to help New Rome on her path to reconstruction concerning its current divisions."
He had prepared this speech for a long time, and he was happy to see that the senators looked convinced by his words.
"Very well, thank you, Propraetor Jackson, you may now sit." told Frank, and Percy did so. "So, does anyone have any objections to Propraetor Jackson's words?" Frank looked around the Senate House, and met no disapproving looks. "Alright. As such, we shall start our vote."
"Please, raise your hand if you agree with the motion that Propraetor Percy Jackson should assume the position of Pontifex Maximus with all its duties and responsibilites to the people of Rome."
Nico was the first to raise a hand. Lavinia followed, and all other senators soon raised their hands as well. Everyone, specially Hazel and Frank, looked absolutely shocked.
"U-uh... so..." Hazel was speechless. Frank cleaned his throat and motioned to speak. Hazel gave the go-ahead.
"The senate has approved unanimously that Propraetor Jackson shall now take the position of Pontifex Maximus, and as Augustus before him, shall be the bridge between the gods and the Senate, and between the Senate and the people of Rome." Frank signaled Percy to speak. The son of Poseidon complied, getting up once more from his seat.
"I couldn't say that I'm not surprised with these results," Percy started. "but I can say that I'm very happy that you, representatives of the people of Rome, have such a trust in my work and leadership. I give my word before you all, that all of my efforts and and hard work are going to my new position, and I promise to honor not only the gods of Olympus, but all of the minor gods as well." Percy decided that this would be the opportunity to begin his true rise." And above all else, I shall amend our differences, along with my honourable Praetors, and restore New Rome to it's former glory, healing the spirit that has been shattered in the face of the Triumvirate's attack! We shall all be reminded of who we are, and what made us strong in the first place!"
For a moment, there was silence, and Percy heart almost stopped for a moment. However, a wave of relief hit him when one by one, the senators clapped. Hazel and Frank soon joined the round of applause.
"Bona Fortuna et gloria, Pontifex Jackson!" Hazel announced, with a smile.
Percy too had a smile on his own face, the biggest grin that he could possibly achieve.
...
It was already night time, and Annabeth sat on her house, wondering where Percy could be. Surely this couldn't take that long, right?
As if he was listening to her thoughts, the one and only Percy Jackson opened the door, with a wide smile on his face. Annabeth was furious.
"Percy Jackson! Where have you been?!"
Percy shook his head.
"Excuse me, it's Pontifex Jackson, thank you very much." his smile widened even more when he saw the look of shock in Annabeth's face.
"You son of a..."